María Helena de Felipe, President of AFAEMME (Association of Organisations of Mediterranean Businesswomen), participated this Tuesday in the Euro-Mediterranean Economic and Business Forum 2025, organised by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) at La Llotja de Mar in Barcelona. This high-level event commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration and brings together political and business leaders from Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Participation in strategic closed-door meeting with DG MENA

During the day, María Helena de Felipe attended a strategic closed-door meeting with Stefano Sannino, Director-General of DG MENA (Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf) at the European Commission, alongside Josep Santacreu, President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and new President of ASCAME, Ahmed El Wakil, Past President of ASCAME, and several presidents of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce.

The meeting’s objective was to explore avenues for collaboration between the European Commission and ASCAME within the framework of the New Pact for the Mediterranean, with special emphasis on supporting the private economic sector in the Mediterranean region.

«We are working in collaboration with the Chamber and ASCAME to identify opportunities for cooperation with the European Commission that will strengthen the Mediterranean’s private business sector», highlighted María Helena de Felipe following the meeting.

The Forum as a Mediterranean meeting point

The Euro-Mediterranean Economic and Business Forum 2025, organised by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and IEMed, with the support of ASCAME, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and other institutions, presents itself as a special edition coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Euro-Mediterranean integration process initiated in Barcelona in 1995.

Over two days, the forum brings together 50 high-level speakers to reflect on three decades of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and design a renewed vision for regional economic collaboration, addressing current global challenges.

Notable contributions during the opening session included those from Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean; Jaume Duch Guillot, Minister for European Union and Foreign Action; and Maria Eugenia Gay, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council.

Recognition for Ahmed El Wakil

During the day, Ahmed El Wakil was appointed Honorary President of ASCAME in recognition of his drive and leadership during his mandate at the helm of the organisation.

About the Mediterranean context

As the forum’s documentation states: «The Mediterranean sits at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, making it not only a regional hub but also a gateway to the world. This strategic location offers unmatched potential for global trade and logistics. However, unlocking this economic potential requires greater regional integration. A unified strategy is needed, one that promotes investment, modernization, infrastructure development, and competitiveness on a global scale».

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