Spring 2026 marks a significant moment for MedECC. Across its governance and secretariat, the network is welcoming four new members and two new officers, reflecting its commitment to strengthening Mediterranean science-policy dialogue ahead of an ambitious agenda, including the publication of the Second Mediterranean Assessment Report (MAR2).
Two new members join the Steering Committee
Irem Daloglu Cetinkaya and Stefano Moncada have been appointed to the MedECC Steering Committee for an initial period of four years.
Together, they bring expertise spanning climate change, social-ecological systems, water governance, development economics, island studies, and sustainable development: widening the range of perspectives that inform MedECC’s scientific assessments.
With their appointment, the Steering Committee now counts 12 members, reinforcing the Mediterranean science-policy interface on climate and environmental change.
MedECC also extends its deepest gratitude to Fatima Driouech and Marianela Fader, who left the Steering Committee in 2025, for their outstanding contributions to shaping the network.
The Secretariat expands with two new team Officers
The MedECC Secretariat is also growing, welcoming two new colleagues to support the network’s scientific and communication work.
Hélène Valentine Ferreira Martins joins as Administrative Officer. Holding a Master’s in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po Paris and fluent in four languages, she brings experience in marine conservation, ocean-climate-biodiversity advocacy, and biodiversity outreach. She will support the Secretariat and the MAR2 production process.
Pauline Simon joins as Communication Consultant. With an MBA in Communication and 12 years of experience, including four years leading communications at Plan Bleu, she takes on the dissemination of MedECC’s scientific outputs and the visibility of its network.
With these two new arrivals, the MedECC Secretariat now counts four officersbringing together complementary expertise to deliver on an ambitious workplan ahead of MAR2. Meet the full MedECC team.
Two UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centres join the Advisory Board
MedECC is also proud to welcome two new organisations to its Advisory Board: CC/RAC (Climate Change Regional Activity Centre) and PAP/RAC (Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre), both part of the UNEP/MAP system.
CC/RAC, based in Istanbul, is the newest RAC under the UNEP/MAP system, dedicated to advancing climate adaptation and mitigation policies at regional and sub-regional levels, in alignment with the Barcelona Convention and the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD). It will be represented by its Director, Levent Kuzu.
PAP/RAC, established in 1977 and based in Split, Croatia, supports Mediterranean countries on their path towards sustainable coastal development and the implementation of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management ICZM Protocol. It will be represented by its Director, Daria Povh Škugor.
Their membership marks an important step: extending MedECC’s reach and embedding its science deeper into regional policy processes.
With this renewed team and strengthened institutional network, MedECC is fully equipped to tackle an ambitious agenda: the publication of a new analysis on environmental change and human migration, a strong Mediterranean presence at UNFCCC COP 31, and the launch of a renewed communication strategy to amplify the voice of Mediterranean science where it matters most.