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The economic summit of the Mediterranean, Europe and Africa is committed to the energy revolution

Barcelona hosts a new edition of the Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders (MedaWeek Barcelona 2019) with an eye on sustainability and green energy as pillars for development. Between the 20th and 22nd of November, authorities, businessmen and businesswomen from both shores of the Mediterranean will meet to tackle the economic and social challenges of the region.

MedaWeek Barcelona celebrates its 13th edition under the slogan “A new dawn for the Mediterranean”, in a clear commitment to the transformation of Mediterranean economies into more dynamic and environmentally friendly systems, which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

After 12 successful editions, the Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders has become the main forum for regional private sector promotion and integration. An event that has gathered more than 20,000 participants since its creation and that this year will feature numerous summits, seminars, corporate and institutional meetings.

The most relevant topics for the Mediterranean business network will be present at the event in the form of forums and seminars in which participants can exchange knowledge, success stories and good practices. Africa will be one of the main focuses of the 2019 edition due to the multiple opportunities for development, collaboration and investment that the continent offers, especially to the countries of the southern Mediterranean shore.

Circular economy and urban regeneration will be the current affairs that, together with the potential of solar and wind energy in Mediterranean countries, will have a place within the sustainability summit. However, the Mediterranean private sector must not only reinvent itself in environmental matters, but the progressive incorporation of women is also essential for its efficiency in the medium and long term.

“The economy is at the heart of MedaWeek. We believe that the prosperity and stability of the Mediterranean region will only occur if we reactivate our economies. The best way to do so is through the empowerment of women and, therefore, the women’s forum will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting,” said Anwar Zibaoui, General Coordinator of ASCAME (Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry). “Besides, increasing inequality in the region and economic and social challenges force greater public-private collaboration in all aspects,” he adds.

The Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders will also host sessions focused on the textile sector, one of the most employment-generating in the region, talks related to social economy, meetings of several regional and supraregional economic and business organisations and a forum on Islamic Finance, that will offer an alternative to the Western banking system based on financial solidarity and responsibility.

MedaWeek Barcelona 2019 is organised by ASCAME, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, the Union for the Mediterranean (UpM), the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) and Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona. A cooperation platform that aims to achieve a healthier, cleaner and more equal Mediterranean region, that breaks with old approaches and builds new relationships between both shores of the Mediterranean.

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