European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Kadis at the “Climate Action in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East: Regional Cooperation Empowered by Science and Innovation” Conference Nicosia, 8 April 2026 Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, First, I would like to congratulate the Cyprus Institute, the EMME Secretariat and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Inn...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Kadis at the “Climate Action in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East: Regional Cooperation Empowered by Science and Innovation” Conference Nicosia, 8 April 2026 Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, First, I would like to congratulate the Cyprus Institute, the EMME Secretariat and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of Cyprus for organising this event, under the aegis of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. It is a privilege to be with you today, both in my role as Commissioner and as a native of Cyprus, a country whose history, like so many in this region, is inseparable from the sea. The Eastern Mediterranean is a cradle of civilisation, where the fate of millions of people, of so many of our communities, is tied to the health of our seas. Yet, as climate change unfolds, the very essence of these communities and their reliance on marine resources are jeopardised. Here, in the Eastern Mediterranean, we can clearly see that the climate crisis is an ocean crisis. Our response must be bold and collective. The Mediterranean Sea is warming much faster than the global average. Marine heatwaves, acidification, and invasive species are already reshaping ecosystems, threatening fisheries, tourism, and coastal communities. The EU's Copernicus Marine Service confirms what our fishers already know: stocks are shifting, catches are declining, and traditional livelihoods are at risk. Against this background, last year the Commission presented the European Ocean Pact. A comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a competitive and sustainable blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. I am proud to say that we are now in the process of implementing the objectives of the Ocean Pact. But to succeed, we need a good understanding of the ocean, our biggest climate regulator. And for this, science and innovation are key. This is why, this March, President von der Leyen unveiled OceanEye, our European Ocean Observation Initiative. It will be our window on the ocean, and our key to unlocking even more of its secrets. An essential building block of OceanEye is the Digital Twin Ocean, which is part of our Mission: “Restore our Ocean and Waters”. Set for completion by 2030, it will provide real-time modelling to predict and mitigate climate impacts. To make these tools more effective, the Commission will present the Ocean Research and Innovation Strategy by the end of this year. This strategy will drive the development of win-win innovative solutions for sustainable development of island and coastal communities, for example through blue carbon sequestration. Research and innovation are a stabiliser and confidence-building tool in complex geopolitical contexts. The EU can engage through neutral, rules-based and value-compliant cooperation mechanisms, fully embedded in Horizon Europe and the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA). But data alone is not enough we must turn knowledge into action. As climate change knows no borders, this action must be collective. The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) proves that science diplomacy and regional collaboration work. Through initiatives like the EU-funded MedSea4Fish, we are improving stock assessments, combating illegal fishing, and promoting sustainable management across shared waters. A healthy, biodiverse ocean equals a stable climate. Similarly, for aquaculture, the Commission has issued strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture, while actively working at the international level under the FAO framework. Beyond producing food, aquaculture is also an emerging climate solution. Specific types of farmed seafood can act as a net carbon sink, sequestering carbon as they grow and restore ecosystems, while aquaculture in inland waters can also act as a water “purifier”. The Pact for the Mediterranean, presented last October, deepens collaboration with our Southern Mediterranean neighbours, prioritising a sustainable blue economy and stronger economic, educational and scientific ties. I warmly welcome also the Barcelona Convention's important work in supporting our Member States in implementing EU marine environmental laws, and in addressing challenges related to climate change in the Mediterranean Sea. Further, I would like to remind that the European Commission is currently revising the EU law on the marine environment the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, as part of the Ocean Pact, which is the legislative component of the Ocean Pact. Our aim is to strengthen the protection of our seas from multiple pressures, including climate challenges. Finally, the impact of climate change on coastal and island communities and possible solutions will further be addressed in the respective Commission strategies to be adopted this coming June and presented here in Cyprus. At the same time the European Union continues to engage actively within the UN framework. A key milestone was the entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. The EU plays a catalytic role for the ratification of this important agreement. This was the moment when we saw that we can achieve our biodiversity, and by extension, our climate goals through collaboration and cooperation in seas beyond national jurisdiction. Ladies and gentlemen, the Eastern Mediterranean is at a crossroads. As we deal with the effects of climate change that defy borders and geopolitics, it is clear that we must tackle this challenge together. In this context, I would like to congratulate the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Cyprus Institute and all the contributors to the EMME Climate Change Initiative, which promotes and coordinates regional climate action, based on robust scientific data. Science and innovation can help us to forge pathways to resilience and preserve our marine ecosystems and communities. Together through ambition and collaboration we can secure a resilient, productive, and sustainable ocean that benefits not only this generation, but also those that will follow. SPEECH/26/786
Speech Brief