Events
Economic Diplomacy as a Lever for Regional Integration in the Euro-Mediterranean Region
From
As the world awakens to the immensity of the opportunities and challenges generated by the twin humanitarian and economic disruptions associated with the pandemic crisis and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, global diplomacy stands at a crossroads where the scale and scope of change call for governments to further develop their economic diplomacy in an age of major economic blocks and nascent geopolitical ambitions across the globe.
Trade facilitation, investment promotion, financial literacy, innovation, and digital transformation are all essential elements of any toolkit for a post-pandemic recovery that would be sustainable, inclusive, and responsible. In a world whose contours are constantly shaped by accelerating inter-connectivity and value chain reconfigurations, these tools are of paramount importance for foreign-policy decision makers as they open new pathways for regional and sub-regional integration and collaboration.
In this context, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) aims to promote regional integration in its different modalities as a driving force to build consensus on regional agendas in the Mediterranean region towards a meaningful growth and win-win economic development models. Equally, the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) aims to contribute to the improvement of economic and social public policies that challenge a global South that defines its own narratives and mental maps namely around the Mediterranean and South Atlantic basins, as part of a forward-looking relationship with the rest of the world. Besides, Morocco is one of the coessential promoters of economic diplomacy through synergy-building in the Euro-Mediterranean region, as well as a centerpiece of African and Mediterranean frameworks of economic integration based on inclusive economic models and cross-border collaboration.
Together, the Policy Center for the New South and the Union for the Mediterranean jointly organize a seminar on Economic Diplomacy as a Lever of Regional Integration in the Euro-Mediterranean Region, on July 21, 2023, in Rabat.
In this framework, eminent personalities, diplomats, experts, academicians will share their perspectives and expertise with the participants to develop a shared vision on how economic diplomacy can bring an added value to the actions deployed by the Mediterranean countries and reach the goals of the partnership and cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
For registration or more information about the seminar, please reach out to the organizing team at: events@policycenter.ma
Agenda
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09h00 – 09h30 |
Registration and welcoming coffee |
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09h30 – 10h00 |
Opening remarks - Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President, Policy Center for the New South - Abdelkader El Khissassi, Deputy Secretary General, Union for the Mediterranean |
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10h00 – 11h30 |
Setting the Scene – Economic Diplomacy: Trends and System Change Objective: Through a theoretical lens, this panel aims to measure the extent of Economic Diplomacy and its underlying role in the current international and regional political arena, as a mean of collaboration between the States, but also as a tool of pressure and negotiation complementary to classic diplomacy. Moderator - Nouzha Chekrouni, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Speakers - Jumana Ghunaimat, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Morocco - Armando Barucco, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Morocco - Mohammed Loulichki, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South - Walid Haggag, Director of the Institute for Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt - Ali Seddiki, Director General, Moroccan Agency for the Development of Investments and Exports |
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11h30 – 11h45 |
Coffee break |
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11h45 – 13h15 |
Roundtable – Which Economic Diplomacy for which Mediterranean Integration? Objective: Given that economic diplomacy is an essential element of the foreign policy of States and International Organizations and considering its contributions to the growth and development of countries, through the promotion of investments and the facilitation of trade, this Panel will examine on how these tools are used or can be deployed to strengthen regional integration in the Mediterranean Region further.
Moderator - Mohammed ElRazzaz, Head of Sector, Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat Speakers - Maria Helena De Felipe, Vice President of the External Relations Section, European Economic and Social Committee - Sénen Florensa, President of the Delegate Committee and General Director, European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) - Carlos Conde, Head of Division, Executive Advisor to the Istanbul OECD Centre Middle Easter and Africa Division, Global Relations and Cooperation Directorate - Azzedine Ghoufrane, Dean of the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences, Mohammed V University of Rabat-Souissi - Hafsa El Bekri, Professor of Economics, Euromed Business School – Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes |
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13h15 – 14h30 |
Lunch |
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14h30 – 16h00 |
Food for thought – Exchange on the different experiences of UfM Member Countries in Economic Diplomacy Objective: The exchange will focus on participants' perception of economic diplomacy as a strategic tool in international relations and will identify on the ways in which economic diplomacy could be used to enhance economic recovery, shared development, and regional integration. Moderator - Antoine Apprioual, Coordinator of the Sustainable Development and Regional Integration Department, European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) Speakers - Magda Shahin, Director of the Prince Alwaleed American Studies Center – School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP), The American University - Larabi Jaïdi, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South - Murat Şen, Deputy Director General for Diplomatic Studies with the EU, Ministry for European Affairs – Türkiye - Saïd El Hachimi, Expert in Economic Diplomacy |
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16h00 – 16h15 |
Wrap-up Objective: Rapporteurs from the UfM and the PCNS will formulate the main recommendations and takeaways generated from the discussion to be presented in the wrap-up session then to the Senior Officials of the Member Countries of the UfM for information and consideration. Speakers - Mohammed ElRazzaz, Head of Sector, Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat - Mehdi Benomar, Head – Research in International Relations, Policy Center for the New South |
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16h15 – 16h30 |
Closing remarks Speakers - Abdelkader El Khissassi, Deputy Secretary General for the Economic Development and Employment Division, Union for the Mediterranean - Larabi Jaïdi, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South |
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20h00 – 22h00 |
Dinner at La Maison Arabe de la Tour Hassan Palace |
