Commitment from Catalonia to Contribute to the Next Phase of the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation
10 July 2025 | Corporate news
Catalonia reaffirmed its commitment to help shape the future of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation during the 6th edition of the MedCat Days, held on 9 July 2025 at Palau de Pedralbes in Barcelona. The event highlighted the need for innovative funding mechanisms and stronger governance frameworks to foster cooperation in the region. It also called for turning the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process into a moment of action — to scale up projects and strengthen connections among stakeholders.
This special edition, titled “Barcelona Process, 30 Years on: a Multi-stakeholders Outlook from Catalonia. Laying the Foundations for the New Pact for the Mediterranean”, combined two major initiatives: the EU Investments in Strategic Projects: An Outlook from Catalonia conference and the MedCat Days forum. It brought together political leaders, institutional actors, and strategic initiatives to reflect on the Mediterranean’s future in the context of the EU’s upcoming Pact for the Mediterranean.
The President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, opened the event alongside EU Commissioner for Mediterranean Affairs, Dubravka Šuica, who delivered the keynote speech “The New Pact for the Mediterranean, the evolution of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership since the Barcelona Process”.
Illa emphasized Catalonia’s commitment to building a Mediterranean region that is “the best place to invest, create opportunities, and develop future-facing projects.” He also warned against extremist narratives in Europe and called for strengthened political and economic leadership.
The day featured four thematic roundtables on key areas: Catalonia’s role in Mediterranean investment and innovation; smart, green territorial cooperation; new funding strategies; and multistakeholder approaches to regional challenges. These sessions enabled broad dialogue and shared vision across public institutions, civil society, and the private sector.
Speakers addressed pressing issues such as climate change, migration, inequality, and peace — with particular attention to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
Organised by the Government of Catalonia, the IEMed, and the Representation of the European Commission in Barcelona, the event featured high-level participation. Key figures included the EU and Foreign Affairs minister of Catalonia, Jaume Duch; the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Nasser Kamel; the IEMed Executive President, Senén Florensa; the Spanish Secretary of State for the EU, Fernando Sampedro, who advocated for the spirit of the Barcelona Process to guide the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation that will take shape in the new Pact for the Mediterranean, and representatives from regional governments of the Mediterranean, such as Rachid El Abdi, President of the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Regional Council.
The MedCat Days have consolidated their role as a platform for dialogue, visibility, and strategic planning in the Euro-Mediterranean space. This year’s edition further positioned Barcelona and Catalonia as leaders in shaping European Mediterranean policy, through a multi-level and macro-regional approach.