ASCAME and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), two pioneering institutions of the Euro-Mediterranean Barcelona Process, founded in 1982 and 1989 respectively and both headquartered in Barcelona, have reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening economic cooperation as a key driver of sustainable development across the Mediterranean region. This renewed commitment comes at a particularly relevant moment, in the context of the emerging Mediterranean Pact and under the presidency of Dr. Josep Santacreu.

Within the framework of the consultation rounds currently being conducted by ASCAME’s new leadership with key economic, academic, and institutional stakeholders, a delegation from ASCAME visited the headquarters of IEMed on 3 March in Barcelona to further consolidate the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions.

The ASCAME delegation was composed of Mr. Koussay Boulaich, Senior Diplomatic Adviser to the President; Ms. Miriam González, ASCAME’s General Coordinator; and Ms. Andrea Mullerat, Corporate Development & Marketing Manager. They were received by Dr. Roger Albinyana, Managing Director of IEMed, accompanied by Mr. Arnau Gallard, Head of the Department of Sustainable Development and Regional Integration.

During the meeting, ASCAME presented the main strategic priorities currently being developed in close consultation with its network of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce. These strategic orientations are expected to be formally endorsed during the upcoming Executive Committee meeting scheduled for March.

The discussions also provided an opportunity to review the outcomes of the Euro-Mediterranean Business Summit held in November 2025 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process. The event, co-organised by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and IEMed in collaboration with ASCAME, successfully brought together leading representatives of the Mediterranean business, industrial, and economic ecosystem.

Both institutions expressed their willingness to continue their cooperation in the organisation of the next edition of the Euro-Mediterranean Business Summit, scheduled to take place this year in Piraeus. Looking ahead, 2027 will mark the 45th anniversary of ASCAME, an occasion during which this summit is expected to return to Barcelona.

ASCAME and IEMed further reiterated their commitment to continue working together on initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development across the Euro-Mediterranean region, in a coordinated manner and within the framework of the forthcoming Mediterranean Pact.