Meditour Agadir 2026 highlights governance, innovation 

and connectivity as pillars of Mediterranean tourism

ASCAME played a key role at Meditour Agadir 2026, presenting major projects driving sustainable tourism and reaffirming Morocco’s strategic partnership through a new cooperation agreement.

From June 18 to 20, the Moroccan city of Agadir hosted a new edition of Meditour, the Euro-Mediterranean Tourism Forum, organized this year by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Agadir-Souss Massa (CCIS Agadir Souss-Massa) in collaboration with ASCAME as the main partner. Under the theme “Sustainable and Innovative Mediterranean Destinations”, the event aimed to strengthen tourism cooperation across the Mediterranean and accelerate the sustainable transformation of destinations. 

Ms. Estela Delgado and Mr. Luis Miranda, representing ASCAME’s Project Area, participated in two sessions to present European projects in which ASCAME plays a key role and that are helping drive the tourism transition in the Mediterranean. Mr. Miranda talked about two flagship projects from the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, which represent two successful models of governance in the tourism sector: D4T -a governance project aimed at strengthening coordination and institutional capacities among public authorities and tourism stakeholders- and RECIRCLE MED - a project promoting sustainable tourism in Mediterranean coastal areas by integrating blue economy and circular economy principles -. Ms. Delgado presented the SMAC project (Interreg NEXT MED), which supports accommodation SMEs in their sustainability transition through a simplified SSMA model and an AI‑based recommendation tool (AIRET).

ASCAME President Dr. Josep Santacreu closed Meditour Agadir 2026 by thanking the CCIS Agadir–Souss Massa and all participants for advancing the debate on sustainable tourism. He reaffirmed Morocco’s central role in Mediterranean cooperation and highlighted three priorities: strengthening tourism as a shared identity, investing in quality and innovation, and building a truly Mediterranean tourism offer. The event concluded with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Mr. Said DOR, President of CCIS Souss-Massa, and Dr. Santacreu, President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, to strengthen sustainable and cruise tourism and foster joint initiatives between the two regions. 

ASCAME reinforces the private sector’s role in driving shared prosperity at the Barcelona Economic and Social Forum

President Santacreu called for a Mediterranean Pact with full private‑sector involvement, as the Jordanian and Croatian Chambers spotlighted investment, women’s leadership and inclusive regional growth. 

A delegation from ASCAME, made up of representatives from Jordan, Croatia, Barcelona and Murcia, took part on 18 and 19 June in the Barcelona Economic and Social Forum, an initiative promoted by Prensa Ibérica and Fundació ”la Caixa” that brought together leading figures from the fields of security, economy, politics, energy, and civil society. 

The President of ASCAME and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Josep Santacreu, participated in the round table "Alliances for Shared Prosperity", focused on the dialogue with the Mediterranean business sector.  During his speech, Santacreu defended the importance of strengthening the future Pact for the Mediterranean as an instrument to reinforce ties between Europe and its Mediterranean neighbours. He also underlined that this framework will only be able to achieve its objectives if it actively incorporates the private sector and Chambers of Commerce as essential actors in regional economic development.

This session also featured the participation of Mr. Fathi Al Jaghber, President of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, who emphasised "the need to turn regional challenges into opportunities for cooperation, investment and shared growth".  In addition, Ms. Sara Štrljić Pezelj, representative of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, underscored the need to boost women’s leadership and entrepreneurship, noting that "women’s full economic participation is essential not only for equality but for strengthening competitiveness and social cohesion across the Mediterranean". 

During the second day, King Felipe VI met with representatives of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and ASCAME, who highlighted ASCAME’s active role in promoting Mediterranean trade and economic cooperation. 

Medalogistics 2026 leads the way toward a stronger, smarter

and a greener Mediterranean logistics ecosystem

The summit examined connectivity, sustainability, talent and digital innovation across Mediterranean logistics, highlighting emerging opportunities, shared challenges and the partnerships needed to strengthen the regional ecosystem.

Medalogistics 2026 took place on 3 June within the framework of SIL Barcelona, bringing together leading experts and policymakers in logistics, transport, and infrastructure from three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. In its 22nd edition, Medalogistics has reaffirmed its position as the Mediterranean’s premier logistics summit. 

Organised by ASCAME and the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, in collaboration with the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Port of Barcelona, this year’s edition focused on the key strategic priorities shaping the Mediterranean logistics and transport sector. Discussions centred on sustainability, digital transformation, strategic connectivity, talent development, and public-private cooperation, highlighting the region’s commitment to building a more competitive, resilient, and integrated logistics ecosystem.

The event opened with a keynote address by the President of ASCAME, who outlined the sector’s current and emerging challenges, the strategic role of Chambers of Commerce and the private sector, and the need to reinforce Mediterranean connectivity to achieve a more efficient, resilient, and integrated regional ecosystem.

ASCAME and Egypt reaffirm their commitment to stronger Mediterranean business ties

The meeting underscored Egypt’s pivotal role in Mediterranean trade and

the expanding investment opportunities across key sectors, including tourism, agribusiness, infrastructure and renewable energy.

This month, ASCAME President Dr. Josep Santacreu welcomed in Barcelona H.E. Mr. Ehab Badawi, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, accompanied by his Commercial and Political Counsellors. Discussions covered the strong political and economic relations between Spain and Egypt, as well as opportunities further to enhance Spanish and Catalan investment in the country. Particular attention was given to sectors with significant growth potential, including tourism, agribusiness, infrastructure, renewable energy, and other strategic industries.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to fostering closer business ties and promoting greater economic cooperation across the Mediterranean region. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary General of the Chamber of Barcelona, Mr. Xavier Coronas; the Senior Diplomatic Adviser to the President, Mr. Koussay Boulaich, and the Director for International Relations of the Chamber of Barcelona, Ms. Berta Pérez. 

📍 MEMBERS CORNER

Interview with Ms. Carme Poveda, Director of the Observatory on Women, Business and Economy of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and Industry: “A Mediterranean Observatory on Women would accelerate women's leadership and reinforce regional competitiveness”

Establishing an Observatory on Women, Business and Economy in the Mediterranean, modelled on that of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, could mark a turning point for equality in the region. The creation of a Mediterranean Observatory would provide comparable data, identify common gaps and enable the sharing of best practices amongst countries with diverse circumstances but similar challenges. Its impact would be twofold- On the one hand, it would provide Chambers of Commerce with a strategic tool to guide business policies and programmes. On the other hand, it would help accelerate women’s economic participation and leadership, making equality a driver of development for both shores of the Mediterranean.

In this interview,  Ms. Carme Poveda, Director of the Observatory on Women, Business and the Economy at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, analyses how this model could be successfully adapted on both sides of the Mediterranean, whilst also reflecting on the benefits it would bring and the conditions that would enable it to have a truly transformative impact.

ASCAME Projects                                                                                                  

ASCAME becomes a key partner in the INTERREG NEXT MED'S YESS Med Project to boost green entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean

ASCAME is proud to be a key partner in the newly approved Interreg NEXT MED Programme’s YESS Med Project, a flagship initiative designed to accelerate the green transition and empower youth-led entrepreneurship across the Mediterranean.

This project is part of the 49 new initiatives selected under the Programme’s second call for proposals dedicated to the green transition, representing over €113 million in EU funding to strengthen transnational cooperation in the region. The approval was formalized during the 4th Programme Monitoring Committee meeting, held in Brussels on 5–6 May 2026 with representatives from participating countries and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy.

The YESS Med Project directly contributes to major EU and international frameworks focused on green transition, inclusive growth, and youth empowerment. Rather than starting from scratch, it builds on proven methodologies, successful past initiatives, and shared regional knowledge.

Its mission is clear: Transform green entrepreneurship from a fragmented landscape into a coherent, accessible, transnational ecosystem that equips young innovators with the skills, tools, and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods while strengthening the Mediterranean’s climate resilience.

ASCAME joins virtually a D4T Sustainable Tourism Policy Lab in Montenegro to strengthen sustainable tourism governance

ASCAME participated on 6 June in the hybrid Sustainable Tourism Policy Lab (STPL) workshop held by the D4T Project in Montenegro. The session, organised by the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, a local partner of the D4T project, combined presentations from D4T partners with practical exercises involving local stakeholders.

The session was opened by Ms. Marija Todorovic, from the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, who outlined the main goals of the session, followed by Ms. Borka Ljesković, National contact person for the Interreg Euro-MED Programme and URBACT IV within the Directorate for European Territorial Cooperation at the Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro. She highlighted the importance of capitalising on Interreg Euro‑MED project results and encouraged participants to join the MED Community and the Sustainable Tourism Observatory network.

Ms. Julia Saiz-Pardo, from El Legado Andalusí (LB of D4T project), presented the main outcomes of the D4T project, including the Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories, the STPLs, recent publications and policy recommendations. 

Representing ASCAME, Mr. Luis Miranda explained the purpose of the STPLs: transferring knowledge, best practices and results from Interreg MED thematic projects to strengthen the skills of policymakers and stakeholders. He also shared insights from previous STPLs held in Athens (Greece), Varna (Bulgaria) and Limassol (Cyprus).

ASCAME  Insights                                                         

The Piraeus Chamber

of Commerce and Industry showcases Greece's strategic global maritime leadership

at Posidonia 2026

The Posidonia 2026 international shipping fair, held in Athens and Piraeus from 1–5 June 2026, once again highlighted the strategic role of Greek shipping in the global maritime economy. As Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Vice President of ASCAME, noted, “Posidonia 2026 is once again the largest international meeting of the global shipping community and a strong demonstration of Greece's leading position on the global shipping map”.

He also highlighted the wider economic footprint of the event, noting that “the added value of Posidonia is spread across trade, manufacturing, services, tourism and employment.” Mr. Korkidis further underlined the strategic role of Greece’s maritime gateways, stating that “the port of Piraeus and the Gulf of Elefsis are the largest port and business gateways of the country, where the connection between shipping, logistics, shipyards and trade creates an integrated development ecosystem that stands as a model”.

This year’s edition showcased how Greece continues to drive innovation, digitalization and green transition in maritime transport, while strengthening the competitiveness of the wider Greek shipping ecosystem. From new partnerships to investment opportunities, Posidonia remains a catalyst for progress, connecting global stakeholders and reinforcing Greece’s position as a trusted maritime hub.

The transition to zero-emission shipping was prominent in the agenda across all five days, with the 2026 edition marking the first Posidonia held entirely within the European Union's Emissions Trading System for shipping - a regulatory reality that has fundamentally altered the economics of vessel operation for European-flagged and European-calling fleets. 

Mediterranean digital skills and

e- governance solutions take center stage at the UfM Conference in Antalya (Türkiye)

This year’s edition of the UfM Digital Transformation Conference, co-organised by ASCAME's partner, the Union for the Mediterranean, together with the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry -a member of ASCAME-, the Kumluka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and with the support of the European Commission (DG EMPL), focused on the opportunities, challenges and best practices associated with two interlinked facets of digital transition, namely digital skills and job creation, as well as smart e-governance solutions..

The conference brought together 50 participants, including a broad spectrum of high-level speakers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from different sectors of the Euro-Mediterranean region. During the Opening Remarks, UfM Deputy Secretary General for Economic Development and Employment, Amb. Meltem Büyükkarakaş, stated that “technology without inclusion risks deepening inequality”, stressing that “our responsibility is to ensure that innovation expands opportunity, particularly for youth, women and SMEs across our region”. This was followed by a keynote speech by Amb. Hami Aksoy from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a scene setter presenting the current macroeconomic realities associated with the field. 

Several representatives of governments, private sector entities, academia and young entrepreneurs took the floor to share best practices. The Conference also comprised a focused study visit to the Antalya Technopark R&D Building within the Akdeniz University Campus, during which they were introduced to several projects and offered a technical tour to the greenhouses and agricultural fields of HEKTAŞ Seed Production Industry and Foreign Trade Inc. located within Antalya Technopark. 

ASCAME News & Events

ASCAME strategic meetings

This month, the President of ASCAME and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Josep Santacreu, took part in the Business Council of the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) in Barcelona for a discussion on the new opportunities the Pact for the Mediterranean offers the business sector. The event featured the participation of Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Mr. José Manuel Albares, who emphasized that Europe must increasingly look toward the Mediterranean and that Barcelona is consolidating its role as the capital of the Euro‑Mediterranean area. 

A few days earlier, the ASCAME President met with Mr. Joan Borrell, Deputy Secretary General for Stability and Resilience at the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). The meeting sought to reinforce and renew the strategic relationship among ASCAME, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, and the UfM as key stakeholders committed to advancing the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. These institutions share a long-standing history of collaboration under the Barcelona Process.

Video recap of the SMAC Project Steering Committee in Barcelona

We are delighted to share a short video capturing the key highlights of the SMAC Project (Interreg Next Med Programme) Steering Committee, hosted by ASCAME in Barcelona on May 11–12. This two‑day meeting offered an important opportunity for all partners to align on progress, coordinate upcoming actions, and reinforce our shared commitment to advancing sustainability across Mediterranean accommodation businesses.👉  https://n9.cl/r2a41

ASCAME and PAM partner

to boost sustainable growth, integration, and innovation across the Euro‑Mediterranean and Gulf regions

During his institutional mission to Morocco in June, Dr. Josep Santacreu, President of ASCAME, signed in Marrakech, within the framework of the 𝘐𝘝 𝘗𝘈𝘔 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mr. Giulio Centemero, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM). 

PAM and ASCAME will deepen regional economic integration by boosting trade, investment and regulatory convergence, while supporting SMEs and quality job creation, including in the blue economy. They will promote stronger public‑private partnerships to mobilize capital and innovation, and invest in human capital through academic cooperation, vocational training and youth engagement. The partnership also prioritizes sustainable intraregional tourism that protects cultural and environmental heritage and ensures responsible use of natural resources. 

ASCAME, a key partner of the Space Economy Congress

ASCAME is a partner of the sixth Space Economy Congress, hosted by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce on 9–10 July at Llotja de Mar. This 2-day event will feature 20 conferences and nearly 50 speakers addressing the strategic role of space as critical infrastructure for today’s societies and economies. The congress will gather leading experts and companies to discuss how space technologies can strengthen global resilience, from climate intelligence and secure systems to technological sovereignty and economic continuity. This edition will also feature a major business and political delegation from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, a European leader in aerospace, advanced mechanics, and digital technologies.

 ➡️ Info & Registration! 👉 https://n9.cl/gp8bya

Countdown to MedCat Days 2026

The Government of Catalonia, in collaboration with the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), will host the 7th edition of the MedCat Days, between 9 and 10 July in Barcelona. Under the title Regions driving the Mediterranean forward: from Pact to Impact, the event will explore how Mediterranean governance can be more effective, coordinated and action-oriented in the context of the new Pact for the Mediterranean adopted in November 2025.

Day one will focus on governance, coordination mechanisms, and territorial approaches, including a discussion on a Mediterranean macro-regional strategy and a participatory workshop on resilience, neighbourhood policies and EU external action. Day two will examine how policies are shaped and influenced, linking priorities with ongoing institutional work, cooperation networks, and regional stakeholders.

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