The OECD and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) will present the findings of the second Report on Regional Integration in the Union for the Mediterranean, a key milestone in efforts to deepen cooperation and connectivity in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Published in the year marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Barcelona Process, the report assesses regional integration dynamics across five areas: trade, finance, infrastructure, mobility , and higher education and research. It also highlights regional challenges and opportunities, providing practical recommendations for policymakers and other key stakeholders.
The launch event will take place in Palau de Pedralbes, Barcelona.
AGENDA (Central European Time)
9:30 Opening Remarks
- Nasser Kamel, Secretary General, UfM
- Mathias Cormann, Secretary General, OECD
- Joaquín Francisco Puig Ferrer, Ambassador Spain to the OECD
- Francisco Gaztelu Mezquiriz, North Africa Director, European Commission
- Christoph Rauh, Africa Director, Federal Ministry of Economic Development & Co-operation of Germany
- Dima Al-Khatib, Director, United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation
10:20 Break
10:45 Panel I - Trade and Finance Integration: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward
- Roger Albinyana, Managing Director, European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed)
- Ahmed Kamaly, Associate Professor of Economics, American University in Cairo, Egypt
- Fatma Marrakchi Charfi, Director, International Economic Integration Laboratory, University of Tunis El Manar
- Wissam Fattouh, Secretary General, Union of Arab Banks
11:45 Panel II - Unlocking the full potential for greater regional economic Integration through infrastructure connectivity, movement of people, and higher education and research
- Stefano Dotto, Head of Sector, Good Governance and Security, European Commission
- Hugues Moussy, Head of Intelligence Unit, European Training Foundation
- Hala Barakat, Senior Director, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Onsi Sawiris School of Business, American University in Cairo
- Karim Bitar, Professor of International Relations, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut; Associate Fellow, Institute for International and Strategic Relations, Geneva Center for Security Policy, and Middle East Institute
- Françeska Muço, Executive Director, Young Professionals Network
12:45 Conclusions
- Carlos Conde, Head of the Middle East and Africa Division, OECD
- Meltem Büyükkarakaş, Deputy Secretary General, UfM
Simultaneous interpretation will be offered in Arabic, English, French and Spanish. All sessions will be available via streaming.
Journalists who wish to join the event on-site can register here by Wednesday 10 September at 17:00 CEST.
Journalists who cannot attend in person are invited to follow the event online. To receive the link to stream the event online in English, Spanish, French or Arabic, please send an email to media@ufmsecretariat.org by Wednesday 10 September 10 at 17:00 CEST with the following information:
- NAME AND SURNAME
- MEDIA OUTLET
- POSITION (camera operator, journalist, producer, etc.)
- PHONE NUMBER
Journalists can request an advance copy of Regional Integration in the Union for the Mediterranean 2025, thereby undertaking to respect the OECD’s embargo procedures, by emailing embargo@oecd.org. Advance copies will be sent out 24 hours before the launch.
The report will be available on Friday 12 September at 9:30 CEST at: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/regional-integration-in-the-union-for-the-mediterranean-2025_6422396e-en.html.
More information and interview requests, please contact Cristina Tomàs at the UfM press office or Yumiko Sugaya at the OECD Media Office.
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