2nd Economic Parliamentary Forum for Euro-Mediterranean Region & Gulf Wraps up in Marrakech

The 2nd Economic Parliamentary Forum of the Euro-Mediterranean region and the Gulf, organized by the House of Councillors and the Parliamentary Assembly for the Mediterranean (PAM), wrapped up on Friday in Marrakech. This second edition was an ideal opportunity for a host of parliamentarians and PAM founding partners to interact with political and economic stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as academia and civil society. This two-day event (July 11-12) also allowed the different officials from the public and private sectors, as well as professors, experts and civil society stakeholders, to discuss means and mechanisms to meet the challenges of producing low-cost energy in the Mediterranean and Gulf regions. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss solutions for promoting entrepreneurship, SMEs and economic growth, in light of the challenges posed by digitalization and artificial intelligence. Speaking on the occasion, PAM President and Speaker of the House of Councillors, Enaam Mayara, emphasized the key role of parliamentarians in promoting economic integration in the Mediterranean region, noting that the economies of this zone are increasingly integrated at global level. Discussing the major challenges facing the regions’ countries, mainly in terms of economic and social development, Mayara noted that “legislation alone is not enough, we need to combine political will.” He warned, in this context, against the security dangers associated with various forms of violence and discrimination, calling for “the rejection of all forms of extremism and human trafficking, as well as all factors that impede the progress of many societal projects.”