REST-COAST participated in the side event “Bridging Local Practice and Policy Frameworks: Coastal Restoration Dialogue for Biodiversity and Climate Resilience” during the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24), held from 2 to 5 December 2025 in Cairo, Egypt.

Organised within the framework of the United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), COP24 brought together representatives from Mediterranean countries, European institutions, United Nations bodies, intergovernmental organisations, and civil society to discuss priorities for protecting the Mediterranean region's marine and coastal environment.

The REST-COAST contribution emphasised linking coastal restoration practices with regional policies for biodiversity, ecosystem health, and climate resilience. It stressed the value of nature-based solutions, collaboration, and science-driven strategies for enhancing sustainable coastal management in the Mediterranean.

Participation in the event provided an opportunity to exchange experiences with policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working on regional environmental governance and implementation of the Barcelona Convention objectives.