Engaging Local Authorities

Strengthening science-policy dialogue through Congresses, workshops and regional cooperation

Over the past few years, CIESM has strengthened interactions between scientists, public institutions and local authorities across its activities, recognising that many Mediterranean challenges require both scientific expertise and effective governance. Beyond scientific research, the Commission increasingly engages local and regional authorities in its Congresses and selected workshops, fostering dialogue around marine governance, biodiversity conservation, data stewardship and coastal resilience across the Mediterranean.

Hosted in the historic Cavallerizza of the Palazzo dei Normanni, the Congress reaffirmed the Mediterranean’s role not only as a shared marine environment, but also as a space of scientific exchange, cultural dialogue and collective responsibility towards future generations.

Throughout the opening session, regional and institutional representatives emphasized the growing need for collaborative approaches grounded in scientific knowledge to address shared environmental and marine challenges across the Mediterranean basin.

The participation of local and regional authorities alongside the scientific community reflected the importance of strengthening connections between scientific expertise, public institutions and decision-making processes.

Building on these exchanges, CIESM has progressively expanded the involvement of local and regional authorities within selected workshops. Recent initiatives have created opportunities for direct dialogue between researchers, public administrations and decision-makers on issues ranging from biodiversity conservation and marine governance to data accessibility, stewardship and coastal resilience.

By fostering exchanges between scientists, institutions and public actors, both during Congresses and within thematic workshops, CIESM contributes to advancing science-informed cooperation, sustainable governance and practical solutions to shared Mediterranean challenges.

"Since its creation, CIESM has pursued its mandate to promote collaborative research beyond geopolitical frontiers, federating thousands of marine scientists from all shores of the Mediterranean. We must be proud of our differences: as long as there is mutual respect and dialogue, this will produce sparks of inventiveness and creativity. There are more than 400 scientists from 23 countries assembled here today, giving meaning and substance to the vision that CIESM is a unique alliance of researchers without borders. My full commitment to CIESM's values reflects Monaco's dedication to preserving the marine environment based on scientific knowledge."
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of MonacoCIESM President Honorary
"This place will become a meeting point for the scientific community tasked with addressing crucial challenges for our Mediterranean. The Mediterranean is a crossroads of cultures, a heritage of biodiversity and a vital resource for millions of people. Its history bears witness to cultural encounters and scientific discoveries that have shaped the civilizations thriving on its shores. Now more than ever, it is crucial to continue studying and protecting this precious marine environment to ensure a sustainable future for the next generations."
General Francesco PrincipeRegional Commander of the Italian Army
"The Mediterranean is not just a sea or a geographic location; it is an open stage of history and a space of extraordinary opportunities. We have a duty, as coastal nations, to build a new Euro-Mediterranean identity uniting the experiences and perspectives of all its shores. The Mediterranean remains essential for biodiversity, transportation, energy and climate challenges. Scientific data, its objectivity and rigor, provide a necessary foundation for guiding political decisions."
Roberto LagallaMayor of Palermo
"This Congress is an opportunity to join forces and share vital knowledge for the preservation of our Mediterranean Sea. A cradle of civilizations and a symbol of unity and dialogue among cultures, the Mediterranean's biodiversity is today more threatened than ever by pollution and climate change. These challenges urgently require a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach. To address them, we are all called to build bridges of understanding and cooperation."
Gaetano GalvagnoPresident of the Sicilian Regional Assembly
"Our Mediterranean, a cradle of civilizations and a crossroads of cultural, economic and scientific exchanges, represents a fragile ecosystem that requires continuous attention. The work carried out by CIESM is essential to ensure the preservation and enhancement of our marine heritage. Art intertwines with science, as both tell stories of discovery, connection and shared reality. These underwater treasures remind us of how deeply our history is tied to the sea and how it is our duty to preserve it."
Francesco Paolo ScarpinatoRegional Minister for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity

“The collaboration between science and policy is fundamental”