IMPACT – ANIMA Honors Its “Mediterranean Leaders” and Celebrates Unity and Dialogue in the Mediterranean

On December 4th, as part of its annual conference organized in partnership with the European project Euromed Clusters Forward, led by ANIMA Investment Network, an exceptional evening titled “Mediterranean Leaders” celebrated individuals embodying dialogue, resilience, and collaboration across the Mediterranean region.

Honoring Inspiring Leaders

In the challenging context of the Mediterranean basin, where violence affects several countries, ANIMA sought to recognize outstanding leaders who, through their dedication and vision, contribute to peaceful dialogue and balanced, prosperous partnerships among Mediterranean nations.

The laureates of this inaugural class of Mediterranean Leaders include:

• Philippe Yvergniaux — For his unwavering leadership and commitment to sharing expertise to advance partner countries as Director of Cooperation at Business France.
• Philo Meli — For her heartfelt dedication to bringing Euro-Mediterranean countries closer together, leading to her appointment as Malta’s ambassador to Algeria.

• Lilia Hachem Naas — For her pivotal role in driving economic integration in Africa and North Africa through her work with the International Trade Centre.

• Maroun N. Chammas (represented by Jessica Hajjar) — For the resilience, professionalism, and dedication of the entire Berytech team during Lebanon’s challenging times.

A Tribute to Unity and Resilience

In their speeches, the honorees shared the values that unite the ANIMA network and form the foundation of this community of economic actors:

1. Equality for All: Regardless of country (North or South), gender (male or female), or organization (large or small, public or private), everyone is treated equally within the network, receiving the same attention and respect.
2. Truth with Kindness: Dialogue and trust cannot be built on falsehoods; progress stems from accurate assessments. The network has consistently promoted mutual learning among its members with respect for all.
3. Bridging Economies to Unite People: By fostering economic integration among EMEA countries, through initiatives like the Euromed Clusters Forward project, ANIMA contributes to maintaining peaceful dialogue and collaboration among Euro-Mediterranean societies.
4. Consistent Commitment: Despite challenges, maintaining a positive attitude and demonstrating resilience are essential to keeping pathways open for mutually beneficial collaboration.

The Emotion of a United Euro-Mediterranean Family

Above all, the participants of the Mediterranean Leaders evening will remember the moments of emotion that punctuated the event, including a heartfelt statement by Philo Meli, Malta’s Ambassador to Algeria:
“ANIMA is like a family. It is with honor and humility that I receive the Mediterranean Leader award. Let us all work together for a prosperous and peaceful Mediterranean region.”

The recognition of Berytech and Jessica Hajjar’s speech highlighted the incredible resilience of the Berytech team, scattered across Lebanon, the Middle East, and Europe after leaving their Beirut offices, yet continuing to work tirelessly. This resilience inspired the audience, especially the clusters benefiting from Berytech’s work through the Euromed Clusters Forward project.

The evening concluded with a networking dinner reception, providing attendees with opportunities to forge new connections and explore future collaboration, further strengthening bridges between countries and organizations.

Many guests expressed their enthusiasm for this unique event:

• “It was an incredible evening marked by rich exchanges and inspiring encounters,” said one attendee.
• “The laureates are living examples of the power of Mediterranean cooperation,” added another.

This evening stood as a beacon of hope for the future of relations among Euromed countries, leaving participants inspired to continue building bridges, sharing expertise, and fostering cooperation for a prosperous and peaceful Mediterranean. 🌍💙