Mediterranean integration continues to be recognized as a public good for the region and for the world.
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Great potential: Southern Mediterranean countries offer a large young population, abundant renewable energy, promising economic and political transitions, and strategic positioning as a crossroads between Europe, Africa, and Asia, among other assets. Unlocking this potential through vectors of integration across countries would have significant positive ripple effects in the region and worldwide.
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Turmoil, instability and environmental challenges: Conflicts in the Middle East (Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Libya, etc.) have resulted in forced displacements and instability in the area. On the socio-economic front, slow economic growth and accentuated social inequalities translate into a lack of job opportunities, especially for females and the youth. In addition, climate change is affecting the region disproportionally, further aggravating existing challenges, such as water scarcity, while also creating opportunities to transition to lower-carbon energy sources. Socioeconomic transformation, improved resilience, and climate change mitigation would have positive spillovers in the region and beyond.
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A new emphasis on human capital mobility is needed: From all dimensions of Mediterranean integration, including trade and capital flows, human capital mobility is the least advanced. Migration has been stigmatized, adding a further challenge for the youth. Yet in reality, if well-managed, regularized migration and labor mobility represents a great opportunity that would help foster youth inclusion. The region is in dire need of proactive labor market policies, circular migration, increased employability of prospective migrants through vocational training programs and active labor market policies, and diaspora engagement. Such an investment in human capital, including reforms in education and mobility policies, would contribute to fostering women and youth inclusion in the region, as well as pushing towards a more integrated Euro-Mediterranean labor market. |
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When the CMI was created, Mediterranean integration was mainly about trade. Ten years after, in a context of multidirectional arrangements and global value chains, integration means strengthening intra-regional links (goods and services, natural and social capital, labor, investments) while increasing the competitiveness of the region in the global economy.
Blanca Moreno-Dodson, Manager
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A decade of partnerships for knowledge and influence
2009: Foundation of CMI in Marseille (2009-2012)
2012: Members sign second Memorandum of Understanding (2012-2015)
2015: Members sign third Memorandum of Understanding (2015-2018)
2018: Members sign fourth Memorandum of Understanding (2018-2021)
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