Just as the moon is known to pull water into a swelling wave, the growing global awareness of the triple planetary crisis threatening human and environmental health and security acts as a drawing force to demand change. MedWaves joins the world to respond to this call, offering both action and experience to a collective effort to move towards a just, circular transition to a sustainable future. As we reflect on the experiences of 2024, we recognise that both our success and our challenges will nourish the growth needed to step towards true change. Representing one region of the world, we hold both the hope and power to evolve into a world we all want, leaving no one behind.  

We look to the future, measuring our steps towards the targets we hope to reach, understanding that to reach our horizon will require our ability to adapt, innovate and remain resilient.

Global decision makers and government representatives, along with the business sectors and civil society gathered in each corner of the globe over the course of 2024, especially over the last quarter. From the humid city of Cali to seek implementation inroads for biodiversity goals to the eastern European base of Baku to promote financial responsibilities to carry out promises made, continuing to the mountain of Busan to determine the extent of a future plastic treaty and eventually to the edges of the desert to seek solutions for land. In each of these major MEA gatherings, the shared result was simply … not enough. Expectations have repeatedly fallen short for the level of ambition and change required to meet the already agreed global goals. However, what has been revealed is that the experiences taking place on regional and local levels are making a difference. MedWaves proudly presents programmatic highlights from 2024.  

MedWaves is a regional activity centre supporting transformation through the promotion of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) activities. We are in a unique and privileged position to be able to engage with, and respond to, the global narrative. The role of serving both the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), as well as a trusted partner of the Waste Agency of Catalonia, demands the ability to maintain an awareness of how the regional activities are part of the global agenda for sustainable development. MedWaves programming demonstrates the aspiration of global goals through specific regional activities while also providing critical keys to a bank of information designed to help shape the global dialogue. In order to ensure that the regional activities are relevant and connected to global ambition, MedWaves participated in a range of activities over 2024. 

Official launch of the “Low Plastic Zone” in Tunisia 

The official launch of the “Low Plastic Zone” initiative took place in Tunis last June, at the CITET Tunisia headquarters. Organized by MedWaves as part of the 2024-2025 Work Program (PoW) with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, this event showcased innovative and effective approaches supported by the Barcelona Convention to address plastic pollution and marine litter. Building on its experience, MedWaves is developing a pilot project in Tunisia to help the HoReCa sector (Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafés) reduce and eliminate single-use plastics. This project will be rolled out in the municipality of Djerba, Midoun. 

BlueMissionMed: Making waves at key events across the Mediterranean 

Throughout 2024, the EU-funded BlueMissionMed project has remained a guiding force at various events regional but also international, with MedWaves, as an implementing partner, playing an active role in these initiatives. From a flagship event at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, held from April 10 to 12, to the most recent BCN Smart City Expo, and including MARLICE – the International Forum on Marine Litter and Circular Economy, one of the most significant annual events focused on developing strategies for a waste-free ocean, MedWaves has played a vital role in raising awareness and discussing impactful, solution-oriented initiatives to prevent and eliminate ocean and water pollution. Let’s continue taking Ocean Action in 2025! 

Participation in INCs for a PlasticTreaty

Everything begins with a first step. The decision made in 2022 set off a process that will forever change our world – a decision that is putting in place standards and regulations for a safer and healthier environment for nature and people: the UNEA-5.2 adopted resolution 5/14 to “End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument.” Although the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) was originally set to conclude after five sessions, the complexities of the challenge have demanded more time. MedWaves has been an active participant in recent INC meetings, including the most recent, INC-5. In Promises for a global plastics treaty: Reflections from INC-5, we reported how the negotiations failed to conclude this process, yet agreed to continue in 2025 in what will be INC-5.2. INC Chair Luis Vayas closing remarks cited Spanish poet Antonio Machado: “Walker, there is no path, the path is made by walking” and noting that: “In Busan, we have made progress by making and walking paths. Although our achievements so far are important, they remain insufficient.” 

COP 29 participation 

For the third consecutive year, MedWaves hosted a pavilion during UNFCCC COPs in the Blue Zone: the Mediterranean Pavilion. This collaborative space welcomed participants from diverse sectors—public and private organizations, academia, policymakers, civil society, finance, and business—to unite through commitments to tackling the climate crisis across the Mediterranean. Facing the financial hurdle and developing networked solutions was one of the key focal areas during UNFCCC COP 29 negotiations, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11 – 22 November 2024.  

The Switchers Community shines at Arab SMEs Summit – ROWAD 2024 

MedWaves, accompanied by a delegation of 14 Switchers, once again played an active role in the Arab SMEs Summit – ROWAD, co-organized this year by UN ESCWA and the Qatar Development Bank. This vibrant event, combining the ROWAD Entrepreneurship Conference and the Arab SMEs Summit, acts as a hub for fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development throughout the Arab region. 

In addition to participating in the Green Businesses Workshop Track, MedWaves also participated in two key side events: the first, on November 19, explored Circular Economy Opportunities in the Arab Region, while the second, under The Switchers Talks 2024 on November 20, showcased how sustainable business services address critical environmental and social challenges while fostering circular economies in the Mediterranean. Serving as a platform for knowledge sharing and empowerment, this event provided participants with valuable insights on effectively measuring and communicating their triple impact: environmental, social, and economic. This theme strongly resonated deeply with green entrepreneurs seeking strategies and inspiration to expand their positive impact. 

Collaborative Solutions for Household and Plastic Waste Management 

The Annual Steering Committee of the Basel Convention, Plastic Waste Partnership and Third meeting of the Household Waste Partnership Working Group met back-to-back from 22-26 October in Barcelona, Spain. These meetings were of particular relevance for MedWaves as the Sustainable Consumption and Production Regional Centre of UNEP/MAP. MedWaves shared a presentation drawing on the focus of circular economy, sustainable blue economy, addressing marine litter and wastes as well as toxic chemicals. 

Signing off SwitchMed: A decade of innovation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean 

One of our most celebrated programmes over the last decade has been SwitchMed. In 2024, we closed the programme after ten incredible years of learning and growing together, opening doors in the region for real progress, exploring green entrepreneurship, sustainable finance, policy and more. This milestone was celebrated with a series of regional videos, webinars, and special podcast series: SwitchMed Connect. Moderated by Tasha Goldberg, the episodes connect with experts on the ground and throughout the region to learn how the needed transition to a circular economy is being translated into real, actual, tangible steps and stories. And not to worry!- The Switchers Support Programme will continue to support an enabling ecosystem for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in the Mediterranean pursuing Circular Economy business models.  We also created an engaging SwitchMed microsite—a digital journey showcasing a decade of innovation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean!

Featuring Film: Four Circular Economy Stories marks the end of JUST2CE  

Over the past decade, the concept of the Circular Economy has gained significant political traction as a potential solution to the economy-environment tradeoff. However, critical social scientists have expressed concerns that CE may not adequately address the root causes or consequences of environmental degradation, potentially limiting its effectiveness. Aligned with this discourse, and as the lead communications partner for the EU-funded JUST2CE project, MedWaves presented this year the documentary “JUST2CE: Four Circular Economy Stories” which highlights key elements of the Just Transition framework through the personal stories of those at the forefront of such transformative change. MedWaves supported the JUST2CE project as an opportunity to promote a global transition to a circular economy by supporting a more democratic and participatory mechanism of governance over the productive processes that underpin design and management of technologies.  

Kickstarting the Working Group on Circular Economy (WGCE) 

MedWaves is proud to kick off the first Working Group on Circular Economy (WGCE) meeting for the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD) update! As part of the MSSD review and in close collaboration with the MAP Coordinating Unit, this 2024 we have setthe stage to integrate circular economy principles into the region’s sustainable framework. This collaboration will identify new challenges, trends, and opportunities, driving sustainable consumption and production across the Mediterranean.

Winding down WES  

WES was a programme devoted to supporting and enabling a transition to sustainable consumption and production. The WES approach is holistic and multifaceted, aiming to create and sustain understanding, cooperation and peace throughout the region. To accomplish this goal, WES promoted integrated and efficient management of water; combatted plastic pollution and marine litter; and fostered dialogue on key environmental and sustainable development issues.  

The launch of SEACURE  

This year MedWaves participated in the launch of a new project, aimed at establishing solutions to prevent, reduce and remediate nutrient pollution along the land-river-sea system in the Mediterranean basin. SEACURE is funded through the Horizon Europe Programme with 25 partners from all over Europe: in Catalonia, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Food of the Generalitat de Catalunya, CREAF, the Catalan Water Cluster, the Asociació l’Era and MedWaves. Each partner operates together, in a balanced relationship, to effectively address the challenge with innovative solutions. The official kick-off meeting of the project took place in Vic Spain 16-17 October, organised and hosted by Beta Tech Centre.  

Spreading Mediterranean success globally 

Building on the success experienced in the Mediterranean, MedWaves is sending a ripple of positive momentum to other parts of the world. With the goal of fostering a healthy circular local business ecosystem in China, MedWaves visited as part of the EU-funded SwitchAsia project “Transition to Circular Economy Practices in Textile and Apparel MSMEs along the Lifecycle in Huzhou and Shaoxing.” As an implementing partner, we organized a 3-day workshop titled “Training of Trainers on Circular Textiles,” aimed at experts from the textile sector in Shaoxing and Huzhou who can transfer knowledge and support textile MSMEs. MedWaves is applying its unique methodology to a new pilot program to promote the circular economy and social inclusion with an emphasis on gender equity among support entities for the creation of youth-led businesses in Bolivia. From Asia to South America MedWaves is sharing its expertise and contributing to expanding the network of passionate individuals committed to green business. 

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Thank you to each person who has been part of our work. Together, we will continue to build trust, translate the transition to a just a circular economy, and grow from what we know.