The Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA) participates for the 3rd year in COP – UN Climate Change Conference. The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) takes place from November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. This crucial global event brings together over 50,000 participants, including world leaders, negotiators, climate scientists, business leaders, activists, and representatives of civil society.
Key topics on the agenda include finalizing a new global climate finance goal to replace the $100 billion annual pledge made in 2009, enhancing support for vulnerable nations through adaptation finance, and tackling “loss and damage” caused by climate change impacts.
The Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association – EMEA is a partner of the Mediterranean Pavilion in the Blue Zone of COP29. EMEA team consists by Prof. Rym Ayadi – EMEA Founder and President, Dr. Yeganeh Forouheshfar – EMEA Senior Researcher, George Christopoulos – EMEA Intelligence & Communication Officer.
EMEA at COP29 – 13.11.24
The institutional opening of Mediterranean Pavilion took place on 13 November 2024 with welcome remarks by Grammenos Mastrojeni, Senior Deputy Secretary General, Union for the Mediterranean.
At the opening of the pavilion the President of EMEA, Prof. Rym Ayadi, underlined in her presentation: “As one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world, the Mediterranean requires innovative, collaborative, and financially sustainable approaches to resilience and decarbonization. At COP29, EMEA is honored to be part of the Mediterranean Pavilion for the third time since its inception, where we will bring stakeholders together to advance solutions that address the unique climate challenges our region faces.”
Furthermore, the EMEA team welcomed to the Mediterranean Pavilion the Greek Ambassador George Kremlis, Chairman of the Greek Initiative at UN level on protecting cultural and natural heritage from climate change impacts, and Garyfallia (Fay) Selimi, Deputy Director of the Circular Economy & Climate of the EPLO European Public Law Organization.
Following this, the President of EMEA, Prof. Rym Ayadi, gave an interview to Ms. Kieu Thoan Thu, Managing Editor of Hanoi Times, Vietnam.
Finally, Prof. Ayadi attended in the event “The role of banks in the transition to a low carbon economy” which took place in the Brazil Pavilion, Brazil will host COP30 on 2025.
EMEA at COP29 – 14.11.24
On 14 November 2024 the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association – EMEA, ECCO think tank and the Euro-Mediterranean Guarantee Network – EMGN, in collaboration with the Union for the Mediterranean organised the COP29 side event “Unlocking Climate Finance in the Mediterranean: Leveraging Guarantee Schemes, Development Banks, and Private Capital for Net Zero and Climate Resilience”. The event explored the strategic financial mechanisms that can help unlock the climate finance needed for decarbonization and resilience in the Mediterranean.
The event was moderated by EMEA President Prof. Rym Ayadi and the panel included Beatrice Moro, Senior Policy Advisor, ECCO the Italian Climate Change Think Tank, Luc Morio, Partner at FINACTU Group, Nagla Bahr, CGC BoD Executive Board member and EMGN Chairwoman, Mais Shaban, Associate Professor of Banking and Finance at Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan and a EMEA Research Fellow, Lina Mubaideen, Project Development Manager, Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF), Ines Duarte, Project Manager, Energy and Climate Action, Union for the Mediterranean and Vincent Ernoux, Coordinator of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme for the Western Mediterranean.
Closing the event Prof. Ayadi underlined: “Unlocking climate finance is essential to the green transformation. Guarantee schemes, development banks, and private capital are key tools that, when leveraged effectively, can close funding gaps critical for decarbonization and climate resilience. Guarantee mechanisms reduce financial risks, attract private investment, and enable local economies to pursue sustainable growth. Development banks and public-private partnerships provide scalability and long-term alignment, while private capital brings the agility and innovation needed to address dynamic regional challenges. Additionally, green financial inclusion ensures that underserved communities and small enterprises can access the resources needed to participate in and benefit from the green transition, fostering equitable and inclusive development.”
On 14 November 2024, EMEA President Prof. Rym Ayadi also participated “Call for Green Transition Projects: Highlighting Interreg NEXT MED Financing Opportunities for Climate Action” organised by Interreg NEXT MED Programme. The event introduced the upcoming €83 million EU-funded Interreg NEXT MED Programme call for green transition projects, explaining how partners can access funding.
Prof. Rym Ayadi underlined in her intervention that “actions should integrate regenerative principles which are closely anchored in nature. Three principles must be transferred into our economies and subsequent business models: 1. Keep a healthy network structure; 2. Ensure circulation flow and vitality; 3. Find and implement efficient and resilient balance”
EMEA at COP29 – 15.11.24
On 15 November 2024, EMEA organised the COP29 side event “Nature Finance: Catalyzing Green and Nature-Based Solutions while Addressing Nature-Negative Finance”. The event explored how finance can drive a transition towards nature-positive outcomes, including the scaling up of green finance, the mobilization of capital for nature-based solutions, and the reduction of harmful financial flows that degrade the environment.
The event was moderated by EMEA President Prof. Rym Ayadi and the panel included Torsten Thiele, Founder, Global Ocean Trust and Senior Advisor, Blue Carbon Accelerator Fund, EMEA Advisor, Markus H.-P. Müller, Chief Investment Officer ESG & Global Head of Chief Investment Office, Deutsche Bank, Nathalie Hilmi, Section Head of Environmental Economics, Centre Scientific de Monaco, EMEA Advisor, Ekkehard Ernst, Chief of the Macroeconomic Policy Unit, International Labour Organization, President of Geneva Macro Labs, EMEA Advisor, Alejandro Lafarga Martinez, Programme Officer of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme for the Western Mediterranean.
Closing the event Prof. Ayadi highlighted: “To achieve a sustainable future, we must shift the financial narrative—from one that depletes nature to one that invests in its restoration and resilience. Nature finance is not just a tool for climate action; it is a foundation for building an equitable and thriving global economy.”
Following this, EMEA President Prof. Rym Ayadi participated in the side event “Building Green Skills: Equipping Mediterranean Talent for the Green Jobs Era” which was organised by Interreg NEXT MED Programme. The event presented an overview of the state of play of green jobs and skills as well as some Mediterranean success stories on the topic.
Prof. Ayadi underlined that “Green brain capital is the cornerstone for a systemic transition to green skills and jobs in the Mediterranean and elsewhere. By integrating brain health, ecological intelligence, and innovation, we empower individuals and communities to drive sustainable development, tackle climate challenges, and foster a resilient, inclusive green economy across the region.”
Finally, EMEA President Prof. Rym Ayadi attended the COP29 side event “Scaling Adaptation Finance in the Mediterranean: Unlocking the NCQG and Carbon Market Opportunities”. The event was organised by the Union for the Mediterranean and it was moderated by Ms. Ines Duarte, Project Manager, UfM. The event explore strategies to secure NCQG adaptation finance and leverage carbon markets to fund climate resilience in the Mediterranean.
EMEA at COP29 – 16.11.24
On 16 November 2024, ΕΜΕΑ Senior Researcher Dr. Yeganeh Forouheshfar, participated in the panel of the COP29 side event on “Mediterranean Forests” which took place in the Greek Pavilion. The session discussed strategies for mobilizing resources, fostering intergovernmental cooperation, and implementing science-based policies to protect the Mediterranean Forests.
Dr. Forouheshfar highlighted: “To preserve our natural capital, and our forests in particular, we must pivot from extractive business models towards nature-positive and regenerative practices. This shift is not just about reducing harm; it’s about actively restoring ecosystems, creating a new economic paradigm where nature thrives, and business prospers together.”
Furthermore, EMEA President Prof. Rym Ayadi underlined in her intervention the importance of health impact of forests and the symbiosis between health and nature.
The event was moderated by Mr. Kostis A. Tselenis, CoB Hellenic Impact Investing Network, CoB Generation Forest Invest, and the panel included Charles Karangwa, Global Head of the IUCN Nature-Based Solutions Center and Dr. Eleni Myrivili, United Nations Human Settlements Programme’s Chief Heat Officer.
Finally on 16 November 2024, the EMEA team attended the event “100% RES Islands in the Mediterranean: championing climate diplomacy to accelerate the energy transition” in the Greek Pavillion. The discussion was moderated by Ambassador George Kremlis. Ambassador Grammenos Mastrojeni represented the Union for the Mediterranean as Senior Deputy Secretary General of the UfM.
The EMEA team also visited over 20 pavilions in the COP29 Blue Zone and discussed with their representatives.
