HIBAPRESS
The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP30, held in Belém, Brazil from November 10 to 21, 2025, witnessed a prominent participation from the Kingdom of Morocco, which confirmed its pivotal role in strengthening international ties and activating initiatives aimed at addressing climate challenges. The Moroccan participation was distinguished by the launch of the Euro-Mediterranean University Initiative for Climate Action, which aims to unify the efforts of Mediterranean universities to enhance education, scientific research, innovation, and sustainable governance, empower students and youth, and connect universities with global initiatives.
The initiative is based on a clear vision that makes climate education an essential element in university curricula, enhances the ability of universities to generate knowledge and innovation, and transforms young people into active partners in shaping policies and community initiatives. The event, which took place on November 12 within the Mediterranean Pavilion at the conference, under the auspices of the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean and the Union of Mediterranean Universities, brought together more than seventy representatives from universities, research centers, academic institutions, and civil society. Dr. Adel Al-Salehi, the scientific advisor to the General Secretariat of the Union and a professor of higher education at Abdelmalek Essaadi University, presented the scientific background of the initiative and its strategic goals, highlighting the individual commitments of the participating institutions and the leading role of universities in climate action, and offering a comprehensive vision to transform the region into a model of cooperation and innovation in the face of climate change.
The conference witnessed the organization of several high-level meetings, most notably the ministerial round table on greening education, which was attended by Mr. Grammenos Mastrojeni, the Assistant Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean, along with Dr. Adel Al-Salehi, the scientific advisor to the Union. Ministers and senior officials participated in the meeting, where discussions addressed the experiences of countries in enhancing institutional resilience in the face of natural disasters, building the capacities of teachers and youth, and securing sustainable funding for climate education initiatives, with a focus on the continuity of learning in disaster-affected areas. The meeting also provided an opportunity to present the experience of the Moroccan Queen and her leading role in promoting regional cooperation and leading joint academic projects.
Dr. Al-Salehi also moderated a working session on "Universities as a Cornerstone of Climate Action" within the Mediterranean Pavilion, where the focus was on reviewing the links between the various university initiatives and reviewing the shared experiences of academic institutions, with agreement on mechanisms for launching joint research projects and educational initiatives at the regional and global levels. The possibility of establishing platforms for academic communication and the exchange of experiences between Mediterranean and global universities was also discussed, which enhances the ability of institutions to provide practical solutions to climate challenges.
The conference program also included the participation of the Kingdom of Morocco in the third annual meeting of the Greening Education Partnership, organized by UNESCO, where the opportunity was available for dialogue with representatives of governments, UN organizations, and international academic networks to define the Euro-Mediterranean Initiative for Climate Action and explore cooperation mechanisms. The meeting presented innovative tools such as the global monitoring platform for greening education, tools for enhancing climate resilience for teachers, green communities guidance, and a guide for sustainable schools in hot and heat-affected areas, in addition to the framework of climate skills and knowledge for international assessments, reflecting the growing global interest in the integration of education, the green economy, and innovation in responding to climate change.
The events highlighted key messages about the need to build integrated alliances and a participatory culture to ensure the effectiveness of the transition towards sustainability and to transform the Mediterranean region from a "critical point for climate change" into a "pivotal point for innovation and cooperation." The Euro-Mediterranean University Initiative for Climate Action was also considered a starting point for establishing a unified academic alliance in the region, capable of being a major player in regional and global climate action, linking scientific research, university education, and sustainable governance.
The Moroccan participation confirmed the Kingdom's ability to combine the academic and diplomatic dimensions and to embody the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him, which focus on knowledge and innovation as a tool to address the challenges of climate change and promote sustainable development. This initiative lays the foundations for long-term cooperation between Mediterranean and global universities, with a focus on education, scientific research, university governance, and the empowerment of students and youth, which contributes to building a sustainable future for future generations and leading the Mediterranean region towards a leading model of academic cooperation and practical initiative in the face of climate change.
