Over the course of three days, the MedaWeek Barcelona hosted a number of key thematic and sectoral fora, more than 60 working sessions, and enjoyed over 1,500 attendees from all corners of the world. These included entrepreneurs and representatives of the private sector, business support organizations such as chambers of commerce and promotion agencies, political authorities, and international coverage from a number of local and foreign media agencies. Altogether, the MedaWeek Barcelona saw participation from over 36 countries across the globe.
Barcelona, 24 November 2017 – The Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders (MedaWeek Barcelona) today closed its 11th edition with two key messages for the region, and wider international public. The first, is launching new initiatives for greater socio-economic development in the Mediterranean, in order to foster cross-border collaboration. The other – and by no means less important – is to consolidate Barcelona as the regional socio-economic hub, making it the Mediterranean city for exchange, dialogue and integration.
This year’s MedaWeek Barcelona celebrated diversity as the region’s economic strength, supported by all its organizing bodies. Together, the Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME), the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), and numerous international bodies such as the United Nations, joined forces to foster diversity as driver for regional growth and integration. The very composition and turn-out of the MedaWeek should be reflected – on a larger scale – onto the entire region. This means tapping into the region’s potential, bringing together the region’s cultures and skills, in order to benefit from a prosperous and united Mediterranean.
Respecting and cultivating regional diversity also calls for improving regional standards on gender equality. For this reason, Women entrepreneurship enjoyed a center-stage during this 11th edition. Together with the close collaboration of UNIDO and the UfM, the MedaWeek welcomed more than 70 businesswomen from the region to foster cross-border cooperation, as well as the creation of new business opportunities – for men and women alike. Specific fora, workshops, and matchmaking events all dews to the same conclusion: the business world needs to facilitate social, political and economic conditions in order to attract and maintain female talent. Concretely, this means eliminating the obstacles preventing women from entering and climbing the corporate latter.
Another key component diversity and economic strength, is the region’s richness in natural resources – celebrated in the MedaWeek through the Eco MedaGreen Summit. The full-day event addressed a greener, smarter, and more sustainable Mediterranean region through sector-specific fora. Particularly, these were divided between renewable energies (water, solar and wind), as well as circular economy and smart cities Among the notable conclusions of this Summit, was the proposal for a new economic model based on sustainability, an idea embraced by the President of COP22, Salaheddine Mezouar.
By addressing these regional priorities, the MedaWeek Barcelona 2017 brings to light recommendations aimed at solving local instability and turmoil. One such initiative, is the Compact Programme for the Mediterranean, based on three main pillars: reviving trade and investment, furthering entrepreneurship (especially for women and young people), and implementing a regional plan focusing on development aid and the fight against corruption. This Programme looks to encourage international companies to start considering as more than a consumer market or source of raw materials – to start understanding the region as a prosperous economic partner.
MedaWeek Barcelona concludes this edition with strategic and concrete recommendations for the region, shining a positive light on economic and commercial development, as opposed to focusing on issues such as security and immigration.
More information about the event on: www.medaeconomicweek.org
More information about ASCAME on: www.ascame.org