As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Barcelona Process —an initiative launched in 1995 to strengthen cooperation between Europe and the Mediterranean—Barcelona will host the Euro-Mediterranean Economic & Business Forum on November 18 and 19. The event will take place in the iconic Llotja de Mar building and is co-organised by the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), in collaboration with ASCAME and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).
The forum will bring together political and business leaders from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, alongside representatives from business associations, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, SMEs, and multilateral organisations, to shape a renewed vision for economic collaboration in the face of global and regional challenges. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration, the event offers a timely occasion to reflect on three decades of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. With a focus on driving investment, modernization, infrastructure development, and global competitiveness, the forum aims to accelerate the economic and social progress of the Mediterranean region.
All debates and sessions will be structured according to three main pillars:
- Key economic sectors: Trends, innovation and competitiveness in sectors such as the automative industry, fashion, textiles, and sustainable agriculture.
- Building the next economy: Digital transformation, 4.0 industry and entrepreneurial ecosystems to turn the region into a benchmark for innovation and technological resilience.
- Promoting and supporting investment: Strategies and instruments to attract investment, from Special Economic Zones to tax and funding incentives for new projects.
Shaping the economic and business future of the Mediterranean
International leaders, sector experts, and institutional representatives will gather at the Euro-Mediterranean Economic & Business Forum 2025 to exchange insights, share expertise, and propose strategies for shaping the region’s economic future. Among the distinguished speakers will be Mr. Stefano Sannino, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf (DG MENA), who will present the New Pact for the Mediterranean to the business community on the summit’s opening day. DG MENA serves as the Commission’s primary interface with countries in these regions, working to forge resilient partnerships grounded in mutual interest and sustainable prosperity. A seasoned Italian diplomat and former Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Sannino now leads a team of approximately 500 officials under the political leadership of Commissioner Ms. Dubravka Šuica.
Also on the first day, Mr. Jaume Duch, Minister for the European Union and External Action at the Government of Catalonia, will unveil ‘Catalonia’s Mediterranean Strategy, MedCat 2030’ —a long-term roadmap for the region’s engagement in Mediterranean affairs. Endorsed by the Government of Catalonia in 2019, the strategy aligns with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and seeks to position Catalonia as a proactive and influential partner in regional cooperation. Following this, Ms. Carme Poveda, Director of Economic Analysis at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, will present the study ‘The Euro-Mediterranean Economy: Transformation and Future Challenges’. The report explores key themes including geopolitical shifts and strategic opportunities, economic integration and trade dynamics, sectoral transformation and innovation, resilience and sustainability, and Catalonia’s evolving role within the Mediterranean landscape.
International leaders, sector experts, and institutional representatives will gather at the Euro-Mediterranean Economic & Business Forum 2025 to exchange insights, share expertise, and propose strategies for shaping the region’s economic future
A journey through the Mediterranean challenges and opportunities
On the second day, there will be three thematic sessions about energy & infrastructure, key economic sectors, technology & innovation, and investment promotion. The first one will take place at 9.15 am and will dive into the following challenges:
- Investments in solar and wind energy: Scaling investments for a net-zero emissions future.
- Driving Competitiveness: Opportunities for the Mediterranean Automotive Industry
- Technology & Innovation: Start-up incubators, accelerators and innovation ecosystems, building the next unicorns.
- Unlocking Growth: Special Economic Zones as Catalysts for Industrialization & Trade.
The next session will take place at 10.30 am and will discuss the following topics:
- Strategic ports and maritime trade corridors: The future of logistics.
- Fashion & Textiles: Innovating Mediterranean Industries for global competitiveness.
- Smart & Secure Industries: AI, Automation, and Cibersecurity in Manufacturing.
- Investment policies and tax incentives: Attracting FDI in the Mediterranean.
The third session will be held at 12.15 pm and will address the following key points:
- Green transition in the Mediterranean: Accelerating industrial decarbonization.
- Sustainable Agriculture & Agri-Tech: Feeding the future technology and innovation.
- Smart factories and industrial automation: AI, IoT and robotics in manufacturing.
- Venture capital and industrial project funding: new growth pathways.
This second day will end with the plenary final session titled ‘Shaping the Mediterranean Future: A Roadmap for Regional Prosperity’.
Celebrating three decades of Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation
November 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process, a landmark initiative in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, launched in 1995 inspired by the hope of shared peace in the Middle East. This initiative united countries from both shores of the Mediterranean to strengthen ties and address common challenges across cultural, economic, political, and environmental domains. Over the last three decades, this initiative has promoted political dialogue, economic integration, and cultural exchange, helping to address the region’s most pressing challenges.
This year’s Euro-Mediterranean Economic & Business Forum, held within the framework of this celebration, will serve as a vital platform to reflect on the transformative power of regional cooperation in the Mediterranean. It will also bring together Mediterranean countries to advance peace, stability, and shared prosperity across the region.