From January 2026 until the end of 2027, Spain will hold the co-presidency of the WestMED Initiative for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Western Mediterranean, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. This co-presidency will be shared with Tunisia in 2026, and with Algeria in 2027.
European policies for the Mediterranean regional area have received a strong boost during 2025, representing a turning point for maritime governance in the region, while generating great opportunities. The Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, and the recent Mediterranean and Ocean Pacts presented by European Commission, which share both vision and objectives with the WestMED Initiative when it comes to the development of a sustainable blue economy, the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity and the support to the coastal communities.
Additionally, it should be pointed out that during 2026 Spain will also be presiding the Atlantic Strategy.
Therefore, the Spanish aim during its co-presidency is to take advantage of these interconnections and synergies, not only between Sea Basin Strategies, but also between maritime sector´s development as well as amongst various stakeholder generations, building intergenerational fairness. Accordingly, our shared motto for both strategies will be:
“Building on synergies for sustainable oceans”
Spain intends to work closely with its WestMED counterparts and partners, to:
Launch the new WestMED Technical Group on Blue Skills, result of the initiative of the 2025 Tunisian and Portuguese co-presidencies.
- Initiate discussions for the launch of a Marine Observation and Data Collection community of practice, in parallel with the Atlantic Strategy. This is a new development, closely linked to the proposals of the EU Ocean Pact, which will be included in the Ocean Act planned by the end of 2026.
- Take advantage of the simultaneous presidency of the Atlantic Strategy and the co-presidency of WestMed, to boost synergies, bring together blue economy stakeholders and sectors and enhance cooperation between the two Sea Basin Strategies.
The Spanish co-presidency is delighted to embrace this opportunity, which will enable closer ties and collaboration between the two Sea Basin Strategies in an international context where sustainable maritime issues are becoming increasingly relevant.