Events
The Mediterranean Energy Landscape Amid Global and Regional Geopolitical Dynamics : 3rd meeting of the Mediterranean Energy Experts Circle
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Far from being a mere technological endeavour, the energy transition in the Mediterranean is decisively influenced by the broader (geo-)political context and developments in the region itself and beyond. With the fall-out of ongoing armed conflicts, elections in the EU and the US with potentially far-reaching consequences for international cooperation dynamics, and the influence of external actors, any discussion needs to take into account these complexities. How do (geo-)political developments shape the context, in which the energy transition in the Mediterranean takes place? How do they shape the ambitions, priorities and – more than anything – the prospects for real progress?
Against this background, the Policy Center for the New South and the Regional Programme on Energy Security and Climate Change in the Middle East and North Africa of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS-REMENA) are inviting a group of experts from the broader Mediterranean region for the third meeting of the Mediterranean Energy Experts Circle. The aim is to provide a platform for in-depth discussions on geopolitical developments in the Mediterranean region and beyond, and how they influence the potentials and challenges for the energy transition as well as cooperation around energy in the Mediterranean. By fostering a better understanding of these complexities, the objective is to develop and propose more realistic and pragmatic approaches for the energy transition and successful regional cooperation in the Mediterranean.
AGENDA
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Thursday, September 19, 2024 |
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09h00 – 09h15 |
Welcoming remarks Veronika Ertl, Director, Regional Programme Energy Security and Climate Change Middle East and North Africa, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS-REMENA) Mounia Boucetta, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) |
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09h15 -10h45 |
Panel 1: The global picture: Prolonged crises, new (geo-)political dynamics Where do things stand in Ukraine after 2,5 years of war? What is the current status of European energy relations with Russia and how does this impact the Mediterranean? How is the outcome of the US presidential elections expected to shape future US engagement in the Mediterranean and the geopolitical context of US-China relations? In how far have EU elections and the new commission changed energy policy priorities and the European view towards the Southern Neighbourhood? How do these developments influence the potentials for energy transition and cooperation?
Moderator: Jessica Obeid, Energy Consultant & Non-Resident Fellow, Middle East Institute Speakers: - No end in sight: Russia’s war in Ukraine and its repercussions for the Mediterranean energy landscape Mohamed Eljarh, Managing Partner, Libya Desk - The US heading to the polls: Expectations for US involvement in the Mediterranean and US-China relations Mehmet Öğütçü, Founder & CEO, Global Resources Partnership |
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10h45 – 11h15 |
Coffee break |
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11h15 – 12h45 |
Panel 2: The regional theatre: Challenges abound How has the war in Gaza impacted the regional energy landscape in the short-term and what mid- to long-term consequences are to be expected? What risks for the regional stability and energy prospects are linked to Egypt’s economic crisis? How does it reshape energy cooperation considerations in the Mediterranean and beyond? What implications for the Mediterranean role in the energy landscape, particularly regarding energy transport, can be identified in the context of heightened maritime security issues in the Gulf of Aden?
Moderator: Jauad El Kharraz, Director, Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)
Speakers: - Looking beyond: Repercussions of the Gaza war on regional energy cooperation Maria Gavouneli, Director General, Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) - Egypt’s economic and energy crisis: A tumbling regional giant? Karim Elgendy, Associate Fellow, Chatham House; Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Middle East Institute & Founder, The Carboun Initiative - Maritime security developments in the Gulf of Aden and beyond: Implications for the energy transport and the Mediterranean’s role Naji Abi-Aad, CEO, Petroleb |
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12h45 – 14:15 |
Lunch |
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14h15 – 15h45 |
Panel 3: The role of external actors in the Mediterranean: Potentials and risks of realigned cooperation dynamics What form and extent does the involvement of Gulf actors take in the Mediterranean energy scene? What role do Gulf sovereign wealth funds play in this regard? In how far has China been able to extend its influence and access to value chains in the context of energy transitions and decarbonization efforts in Mediterranean countries? How does this (re-) shape relations with existing partners, such as the EU? What potentials for energy security and transitions does Morocco aim to bolster through its cooperation with African countries? Where do challenges in bringing African countries closer to the Mediterranean energy transition pathways lie?
Moderator: Mounia Boucetta, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) Speakers: - Gulf actors: Tracking investments, technologies and influence in the Mediterranean energy field Dawud Ansari, Associate Researcher, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) & Senior Fellow, Majan Center for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (MCREEE) - Of coal, critical raw materials, and energy networks: China’s positioning in the Mediterranean energy transition Michalis Mathioulakis, Academic Director, Greek Energy Forum - The Moroccan view to Africa: Avenues for extended energy cooperation beyond the Mediterranean Hicham Bouzekri, Director of R&D and Industrial Integration, MASEN |
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Friday, September 20, 2024 |
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08h45 – 10h30 |
Discussion: A reshaped energy transition in the Med? How to marry ambition and pragmatism Looking at a growing gap between the ideal vision for energy transitions in the Mediterranean and the assessment of realities on the ground, which aspects will be key to look at? How can we reach a more pragmatic and realistic approach without losing ambition?
Inputs and discussants: - What if natural gas is here to stay? Marc-Antoine Eyl-Mazzega, Director, Center for Energy & Climate, Ifri Discussant: Khaled Kaddour, Independent Consultant & former Minister for Energy, Mines and Renewable Energies, Tunisia
- How can energy diplomacy prevent a breakdown in regional cooperation? Harry Tzimitras, Director, PRIO Cyprus Centre Discussant: Ibrahim Saif, Independent Consultant & former Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources, Jordan
- What new modes of energy transport are needed to stay on track with the transition? Francisco Ferreira, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa Discussant: Tamer Khatib, Professor for Renewable Energies, An-Najah National University
- The energy trilemma: How can the Mediterranean region tackle the trade off between green transition and economic development? Sabrine Emran, Economist, Policy Center for the New South Discussant: Michele Governatori, Power & Gas Lead, ECCO Climate Moderator: Khalid Benhamou, Director, Sahara Wind, Morocco |
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10h30 – 11:00 |
Coffee break |
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11h00 – 12h15 |
Working session: Reshaping Models for Mediterranean Energy Cooperation How have geopolitical, technological and other megatrends changed considerations around energy transition and cooperation in the Mediterranean? Against this changed backdrop, where can shortcomings in current cooperation formats for key aspects of the energy landscape be identified? And how can current cooperation models and formats be adapted and reshaped in order to deliver better?
Presentation of proposals by outreach group (25 min) Discussion with all participants (50 min) |
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12h15 – 12h45 |
Feedback round & concluding remarks Veronika Ertl, Director, Regional Programme Energy Security and Climate Change Middle East and North Africa, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS-REMENA) Mounia Boucetta, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) |
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12h45 |
Lunch |
