On 4 November 2025, DNI attended the SALAM-MED final science-policy conference on “Rethinking the Futures of Mediterranean Land and Water”, which led to the development of a Joint Communication.
The Mediterranean stands at a critical crossroads. Rich in ecological diversity and cultural heritage, this region faces intensifying pressures from climate change, desertification, water scarcity, and socio-economic inequality. These interconnected challenges transcend borders and sectors, generating instability and competition over natural resources. Their complexity and fragmented nature demand collaborative responses that connect science, policy, and society, while engaging stakeholders and local communities in co-developing sustainable pathways.
This Communication embodies the collaborative values it promotes, as it has been developed through multiple participatory stages. Initially, an online survey and the circulation of a draft version allowed a diverse group of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share their perspectives before the conference. At the science-policy conference in Athens on 11 November 2025, keynote presentations by PRIMA Foundation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), provided the strategic and institutional context, framing Mediterranean land and water challenges within global sustainable development and climate action frameworks. An intergenerational panel discussion, coordinated by the NextGen4MED youth-led initiative, brought together early-career researchers and senior experts from the PRIMA-funded projects SALAM-MED (of which DNI is an in-kind partner), OurMED, Ag-WaMED, NATMed, and SUREPASTOR to reflect on the gap between scientific knowledge and transformative practice. Lastly, an interactive drafting session enabled participants to collectively identify and prioritise research, policy, and adoption recommendations, ensuring that this document reflects not only the evidence base but also the lived experience and strategic priorities of a diverse Mediterranean community.
Our recommendations aim to inform the PRIMA2 Joint Programme, the UNCCD strategies for land restoration and drought resilience in the Mediterranean region, and FAO initiatives on sustainable agriculture, water management, and food security. At the heart of this collective effort lies a clear ambition: to capitalise on proven approaches while expanding pathways from evidence to adoption, strengthening partnerships for lasting and scalable change, and promoting transformative innovations that enhance resilience and sustainability for Mediterranean societies and ecosystems.