Events
EuroMeSCo Consultation Circles on the New Pact for the Mediterranean: Consulting Southern Partners
From
To
By invitation
The European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) and the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) are hosting the EuroMeSCo Consultation Circles on the New Pact for the Mediterranean: Consulting Southern Partners, which will take place on 13-14 May in Rabat, Morocco.
This consultation serves as a dedicated platform for structured dialogue with policymakers, think tankers, civil society actors, and private sector stakeholders from North Africa. Focusing on three main dimensions that are vital to the region’s long-term development: fostering economic growth through trade, investment and engagement with the private sector; empowering the next generation by aligning skills with employment and mobility opportunities; and promoting sustainable transformation through decarbonised approaches to food systems, water management, and environmental resilience.
By drawing on local knowledge, successful initiatives, and the experience of key actors, this consultation contributes directly to shaping a Pact that is grounded in the realities of the Southern Neighbourhood and designed to serve the aspirations of both shores of the Mediterranean.
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Tuesday, May 13th 2025 |
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14:00 – 14:30 |
Registration and Welcome Coffee |
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14:30 – 14:50 |
Introductory Remarks Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President, Policy Center for the New South Senen Florensa, Executive President, European Institute of the Mediterranean |
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14:50 – 15:20 |
Introducing the New Pact for the Mediterranean Stefano Sannino, Director General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf, European Commission |
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15:20 – 15:50 |
Discussion |
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15:50 – 15:55 |
Group Photo |
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15:55 – 16:20 |
Coffee Break |
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16:20 – 18:00 |
Parallel Interactive Consultation Circles: Drawing into the Mediterranean’s Assets to Foster Inclusive Growth In this interactive session, participants will actively participate in three thematic groups focused on key drivers of regional development: lessons, gaps and opportunities analysing past cooperation frameworks, private sector engagement for regional integration, and emerging models of triangular cooperation for trade and investment. Guided by facilitators, the format encourages idea exchanges between thematic experts and actionable policy insights.
Circle 1 Lessons, Gaps and Opportunities to Build the Mediterranean of Tomorrow Drawing from experiences, participants will reflect on what has worked in the region, how it was achieved, and why it succeeded – identifying actionable tools and initiatives to shape future EU–Southern Neighbourhood cooperation.
Facilitator Mounia Boucetta, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Rapporteur Abdessalam Jaldi, Senior International Relations Specialist, Policy Center for the New South
Circle 2 The Private Sector’s Role in Regional Integration Exploring how private sector engagement and business ecosystem reforms can foster inclusive and sustainable regional integration, with a focus on unlocking growth and creating shared value across the Mediterranean.
Facilitator Mohammed El Razzaz, Head of Sector, Economic development and employment, Union for the Mediterranean Rapporteur Tayeb Ghazi, Senior Economist, Policy Center for the New South
Circle 3 Triangular Cooperation Models: Expanding Strategic Trade and Investment Partnerships Focusing on how triangular cooperation— tapping into the strategic presence of other actors in the Southern neighbourhood— can be leveraged to enhance trade and investment opportunities and mechanisms in the region.
Facilitator Caterina Roggero, Senior Associate Research Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Centre, ISPI - Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale Rapporteur Oumaya Amghar, Technical Advisor, European Institute of the Mediterranean |
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18:00 – 19:00 |
Report Back by the Facilitators & Discussion Moderator Roger Albinyana, Managing Director, European Institute of the Mediterranean |
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19:45 – 22:00 |
Welcoming Dinner |
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Wednesday, May 14th 2025 |
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08:30 – 09:30 |
Welcome Coffee |
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09:30 – 13:00 |
Focus Group Discussions | Coffee Break from 11:00 to 11:30 These three parallel sessions invite participants from diverse sectors and institutions to engage in targeted discussions on key areas for the Mediterranean’s future. Each session will foster dialogue and generate actionable insights around pressing themes that intersect youth empowerment, migration, economic cooperation, and sustainability across the region.
Group 1 Skills for the Future – Preparing Youth for a Changing Mediterranean What kind of labour market will the Mediterranean face tomorrow, and how can we ensure that young people are ready for it? This session will explore the future of skills in emerging sectors, and examine how to align education and training systems with private sector needs, innovation ecosystems, and regional labour mobility.
Facilitator Abdelaziz Jaouani, Senior Human Capital Development Expert, Lifelong Learning Policies, European Training Foundation Rapporteur Saloi El Yamani, Economist, Policy Center for the New South
Group 2 Enhancing EU–Southern Cooperation through Mobility and Talent Circulation This session explores how the EU can engage leverage mobility and circulation to strengthen ties with the Southern Neighbourhood. Discussions will focus on circular mobility, talent partnerships, remittances, and diaspora entrepreneurship as tools to boost cooperation, bridge skills gaps, and support green and digital transitions across the Mediterranean.
Facilitator Ivan Martin, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the South Rapporteur Bilal Mahli, International Relations Specialist, Policy Center for the New South
Group 3 Ecosystems of Change: Promoting a Sustainable Model of Growth Building on initiatives such as the EU–Morocco Green Partnership, this session explores how climate action, sustainable food systems, water security, and biodiversity protection can be jointly advanced. It highlights the role of the private sector in driving innovation and financing transformative solutions for a resilient and inclusive Mediterranean.
Facilitator Yeganeh Forouheshfar, Senior Researcher, Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association Rapporteur Boutaina Lmasrar, Junior Economist, Policy Center for the New South |
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13:00 – 14:00 |
Lunch |
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14:00 – 15:00 |
Report Back by the Facilitators & Discussion Moderator Rim Filali Meknassi, Head of Euro-Mediterranean Policies, European Institute of the Mediterranean |
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15:00 – 15:50 |
Open Discussion, Next Steps and Closing Remarks Moderator Abdelhak Bassou, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South |
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15:50 – 16:00 |
Concluding remarks |
