From Vision to Action: Shaping the Euro-Mediterranean Roadmap for 2036 

Gathering in Athens to celebrate two decades of impact, the ANIMA Investment Network, in partnership with Enterprise Greece, hosted an international symposium focused on turning foresight into actionable strategy for the Euro-Mediterranean region for the next ten years. The event brought together high-level speakers to address four critical pillars: value chains, climate change, human capital, and digital trust. 

A Legacy of Continuity and Trust 

Opening the symposium, Mr. Emmanuel Noutary, General Delegate of ANIMA, defined the network as a “vital gateway between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East,” noting that the goal of the gathering was to “work together to turn foresight into political cooperation roadmaps” that would form the backbone of the network’s future strategy.  

Ms. Vasso Kyrkou, Director General of Communications, Marketing and Stakeholder Relations of Enterprise Greece emphasized that ANIMA’s true value lies in “continuity”—of dialogue, trust, and professional cooperation. She urged participants to look beyond regional risks, stating, “the real question is whether we can organize ourselves well enough and work together seriously enough to make more of its potential visible, investable, and real”. 

Dr. Marinos Giannopoulos, CEO of Enterprise Greece, called for a transition from “diagnosis to action,” acknowledging that while the region faces geopolitical and climate pressures, “geography alone is not enough”. Mr. Tarak Chérif, President of ANIMA, reinforced this, asserting that despite current global instabilities, “dialogue is not a legacy of the past, but a condition for the future”.   

The Global Perspective: Shifting Investment Landscapes 

The symposium provided a sobering yet opportunistic look at Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Mr. Achim Hartig, Head of OECD network of investment promotion agencies, noted that global greenfield projects have declined significantly, yet the Mediterranean remains a “strategic corridor linking Europe, Africa, and the Middle East”. He argued that national advantages must be “leveraged for the prosperity of a larger economic whole” through collaboration. 

Mr. Andreas Dressler, founder of FDI Center, outlined five key trends, including the rise of “friendshoring”—the idea that companies invest in politically aligned countries. “FDI has become highly politicized,” Dressler noted, adding that “every FDI decision is ultimately a political decision”. He identified the energy transition as the “number one opportunity in FDI,” particularly regarding renewable projects and integrated energy grids. 

Strategic Priorities for a Resilient Region 

Panels and keynotes identified four pillars essential for the Mediterranean’s competitiveness by 2036: 

Integrating Value Chains 

The first thematic panel explored whether a fully integrated Mediterranean value chain is realistic. Panayiotis Agathocleous, Director of Limassol Port, suggested that while full integration is unlikely in the next decade, “partial, sector-based integration is realistic” through specific corridors like automotive, aerospace, and energy. 

Clodagh Barry, Director of The Cluster Centre, emphasized that the region must move from “islands of excellence” to a “regional system level response”. She argued that “regional competence” is the new attractor, stating, “it’s no more about manufacturing and low cost… it’s a regional competence, what’s visible, what’s known, what’s sticky”. Giovanni Zazzerini, Secretary General at INSME, added that integration should involve “players in the different geographical areas playing a part in such an ecosystem,” rather than just viewing North Africa as a low-cost labor source. 

Climate Change & Green Transition 

Constantin Tsakas, Chief Economist of Plan Bleu, delivered a stark keynote, reporting that the Mediterranean is warming 20% faster than the rest of the world. He presented scenarios for 2050, ranging from “inaction-driven collapse” to a “Mediterranean endogenous model” built on South-South cooperation. Tsakas argued that the region does not lack capital, but rather the “mechanisms to properly price, value, and de-risk the capital”. 

The discussion highlighted industrial responses to climate stress. Meryem Rachdi, President of Maroc Clusters Federation, noted that in Morocco, “we have no more the luxury of using water the way we used to,” leading to national strategies for water recycling in sectors like textiles. 

Noha Elbalky, Executive Manager of Egyptian Resource Efficiency Cluster, reinforced this sense of urgency by stating that “resource efficiency is not a luxury anymore; it’s an action we have to take now. Otherwise, you will be out of the market.” 

Mokhtar Zannad, Chief Executive Officer of Aramis Group described the circular economy as a “revolution,” pointing out the massive gap in plastic recycling: “Every hour, two containers of plastic are thrown in the sea”. He invited European investors to the South, where “energy costs are cheaper… labor costs are cheaper… it’s a very win-win situation”. 

Human Capital & Talent Mobility 

The human capital discussion focused on the “brain drain” versus “brain circulation.” Maroun Chammas, CEO, Berytech and Vice Chairman & General Manager, MEDCO, criticized university systems for being “extremely rigid” and failing to evolve as fast as the economy. He suggested that the Mediterranean’s “climate, nice weather, and proximity of relationship” are unique assets for retaining talent in an era where people choose where they want to live. 

Vasilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce, echoed the need for sustainable businesses to ensure sustainable employment. He advocated for “Mediterraneanization” and urged the EU to adopt a longer-term strategy for labor mobility from North Africa. Korkidis noted that “millions of jobs could be created” if funding were properly allocated to regional strengths like shipbuilding. 

Digital Trust & Sovereignty 

The final session addressed the “AI-enabled continent” strategy. Prof. Stefanos Kollias, Chairman of GRNET and Coordinator of the Greek AI Factory, introduced the Greek “Pharos” AI Factory, part of a European network aimed at reducing dependency on global providers like Amazon or Google. He defined digital sovereignty as “the ability of countries to control and rely on their own critical digital infrastructure”. 

Nidal Bital, General Manager Intaj Jordan, pointed out a “win-win” opportunity: while Europe faces a massive IT talent shortage, the MENA region has a growing pool of skilled ICT graduates. Amani Muady, General Manager, Palestine Information Technology Association of Companies (PITA), shared the resilience of Palestine’s ICT sector, which focuses on talent and global integration despite severe structural constraints. The panel concluded that the Mediterranean should focus on sector-specific AI strengths, such as maritime logistics and agriculture, to create a competitive global advantage. 

The Path Forward: The Athens Action Plan 

Dr. Marinos Giannopoulos, CEO of Enterprise Greece, concluded with a call to move from “diagnosis to action”. The consensus among leaders was that the Mediterranean must no longer be viewed solely through the lens of risk, but as a region of immense logistical, industrial, and entrepreneurial energy. By harmonizing regulations and fostering inter-cluster cooperation, the region aims to become a stable, investable, and sovereign corridor linking three continents.