Libya-news Archives

Celia murcia and Javier Fernandez receive a gold plated shield from the Libyan Maritime Cluster

WestMED Assistance Mechanism awarded Commemorative Shield by Libyan Maritime Cluster

2 December 2025/in News /by Communication team

On 27 November 2025, during the WestMED Steering Committee meeting in Tunis – a commemorative appreciation shield was awarded to the Assistance Mechanism by Eng. Ali Shagrune, President of the Libyan Maritime Cluster and National Coordinator for the WestMED Initiative in Libya.

Read the text below:

Appreciation Message to the WestMED Steering Committee and Honored Colleagues

On behalf of the WestMED Steering Committee – Libya and the Libyan Maritime Cluster, we express our highest gratitude, appreciation, and respect to the distinguished members of the Steering Committee for the Sustainable Development of the Western Mediterranean, as well as to all individuals who continue to support this vital regional initiative.

This message is delivered under the leadership of Eng. Ali Shagrune, President of the Libyan Maritime Cluster and National Coordinator for the WestMED Initiative in Libya, whose dedicated efforts have been instrumental in strengthening regional cooperation and advancing Libya’s vision for a resilient, innovative, and sustainable blue economy. His commitment and representation at national, regional, and international levels have significantly enhanced Libya’s role within the WestMED framework.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Masouda Abu Arisha, the National Focal Point to the WestMED Steering Committee, for her outstanding support to Libya and her valuable contributions to the development of national fisheries, aquaculture policies, and blue economy reform programs. Her expertise, guidance, and consistent engagement have played an essential role in advancing Libya’s priorities within the initiative.

As part of this recognition, we are honored to celebrate Mr. Javier Fernández, Technical Director, and Ms. Celia Murcia for their exceptional dedication and continuous support to Libya. Their professionalism and commitment have been fundamental in strengthening Libya’s participation in the WestMED Initiative and in supporting key projects that promote stability, innovation, and sustainable development.

A commemorative shield has been presented to both Mr. Fernández and Ms. Murcia as a symbol of appreciation for their sincere efforts and their significant contribution to enhancing Libya’s maritime capacities, blue economy development, and regional partnerships.

We once again extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire WestMED Steering Committee and reaffirm our commitment to continued collaboration toward a prosperous, secure, and sustainably developed Mediterranean region.

With highest respect and appreciation,
WestMED Steering Committee – Libya
Libyan Maritime Cluster

2025 project awards winners on stage at the WestMED 2025 Conference

Tunis hosts the 5th WestMED Stakeholder Conference: Driving Blue Economy Action Across the Western Mediterranean

1 December 2025/in News /by Communication team

On 28 November 2025, over 200 stakeholders from both shores of the Mediterranean gathered in Tunis, Tunisia, for the 5^th WestMED Stakeholder Conference – a flagship event of the WestMED Initiative.

Building on previous editions in Barcelona, Algiers, Rome, and Malta, this year’s conference highlighted the role of maritime clusters, blue skills, ocean literacy, energy transition, and maritime spatial planning in promoting a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient blue economy across the Western Mediterranean sea basin.

The conference was hosted by the Tunisian co-presidency of the WestMED and organized by the WestMED Assistance Mechanism, with the support of the European Commission.

Recognizing Excellence: WestMED Project Awards 2025

A highlight of the conference was the announcement of the WestMED Project Awards, now in their third edition. These awards honor outstanding projects aligned with the WestMED priorities, providing winners with visibility and recognition across the Mediterranean blue economy community.

Award winners showcased innovation in marine protected areas management, energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture, blue skills and maritime clusters, demonstrating how local initiatives can have a regional impact.
This recognition not only boosts the projects’ visibility but also strengthens cross‑border cooperation, encouraging replication of similar initiatives in other sea basins.

This edition showed a record number of 71 applications. The award winners were:

BLUEPSOL: developing solar-powered solutions for sustainable fishing and aquaculture,
reducing emissions and costs (also voted by participants as the ‘best-of-the-best’).
YEP MED: connecting training centres, ports, and companies across the Mediterranean to align education with real labour market needs
MPA4Change: empowering Mediterranean MPAs to adapt, build resilience, and combat climate change.
BCThubs: building technology excellence hubs, advancing underwater cultural heritage and sustainable blue economy
CallmeBlue: strengthening Mediterranean clusters, fostering cooperation, empowering communities and enhancing skills inclusively.

European Ocean Pact & new Pact for the Mediterranean

Two major policy frameworks were discussed during the conference:

EU Ocean Pact: presented as a unifying framework to safeguard Europe’s seas, it emphasizes sustainability, resilience, and innovation. The conference explored how WestMED priorities support this broader EU agenda.
Pact for the Mediterranean: recently launched, this pact aims to align Mediterranean countries around shared commitments for a resilient and sustainable sea basin. The WestMED Assistance Mechanism was highlighted as a bridge between the pact’s ambitions and concrete project implementation.

Together, these pacts signal a new era of Mediterranean maritime cooperation, linking regional action to European strategies.

Launch of the Blue Skills Technical Stakeholder Group
Recognizing that skills gaps are among the biggest barriers to a thriving blue economy, the conference announced the creation of a new technical stakeholder group on Blue Skills.

This group will bring together experts from the different Western Mediterranean countries to map skill needs, organise training programs, and promote ocean literacy.
It will serve as a platform for universities, training centers, industry, and policymakers to coordinate efforts.
By focusing on capacity building, the group aims to ensure that the Western Mediterranean workforce is equipped to drive the energy transition, innovation, digitalization and maritime spatial planning.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 WestMED Stakeholder Conference delivered three clear outcomes:

Celebration of award‑winning projects that exemplify innovation and cooperation.
Integration of the EU Ocean Pact and the Pact for the Mediterranean into WestMED’s operational agenda.
Launch of a technical stakeholder group on Blue Skills, setting the stage for long‑term workforce development.

Together, these outcomes reinforce the WestMED Initiative’s role as a catalyst for sustainable growth, resilience, and collaboration across the Western Mediterranean and beyond. Next year’s co-presidency will be taken over by Spain and Tunisia, in line with the rotating governance structure of the WestMED Initiative.

A WestMED steering committee meeting preceded the conference, engaging participating countries and the European Commission in discussions on progress and next steps under the initiative.

Conference report

A comprehensive conference report will be made available in the coming weeks.

man holding phone with checkmark in display - sea in the background.

SURVEY – Help shape the future of Mediterranean initiatives supported by the EU

26 November 2025/in News /by Communication team

As part of the implementation of the WestMED Initiative, we invite project beneficiaries to share insights and experiences through this short survey.

Project beneficiairies are those organizations, institutions, or groups that receive or have received direct support or funding for projects in the Western Mediterranean through funding under EU programmes such as EMFAF, Horizon Europe, INTERREG and others.

Your input is essential to assess the coverage, availability, and ongoing relevance of EU-funded programmes and to improve their design and implementation.

By contributing, you will help us identify lessons learned and shape future sustainable blue economy initiatives in the Mediterranean, ensuring they meet the needs of diverse stakeholders—including participants from both EU and non-EU countries.

About the Survey

Duration: It will take less than 15 minutes to complete.
Confidentiality: All responses will be handled in strict compliance with data protection regulations and used only in aggregated and anonymous form.
Scope: You may base your answers on your experience with one or multiple EU-funded projects.

The questionnaire is structured around 6 Sections:

Introduction
Access to funding
Project results and impact
Networks and consortium building
Understanding the barriers in cross-national and sea basin cooperation
Follow-up and continuation of projects.

Click to access the survey

The survey will remain open from the end of November until mid-January 2026.

On behalf of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), thank you for your time and valuable contribution.

New Study: Climate Change Adaptation in EU Aquaculture

23 November 2025/in News /by Communication team

The European Commission has published a comprehensive study on climate change adaptation in EU aquaculture, providing a timely assessment of the sector’s vulnerabilities, challenges, and opportunities in the face of a changing climate.

Aquaculture is a vital part of Europe’s blue economy, supplying healthy food, supporting coastal communities, and contributing to economic growth. However, the sector is increasingly exposed to climate-related risks such as rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, extreme weather events, and shifting disease patterns.

Adapting EU aquaculture to climate change is essential for safeguarding food security, jobs, and the health of marine and freshwater ecosystems. The report highlights the importance of collaboration between industry, researchers, and policymakers to accelerate the uptake of adaptation measures and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Tobruk University Hosts the 2nd International Scientific Conference on Tourism and Archaeology with Active Participation from the WestMED Initiative

19 November 2025/in News /by Communication team

On 16 November 2025, The Tobruk University, through its Faculty of Tourism and Archaeology, successfully organized the 2nd International Scientific Conference on Tourism and Archaeology, gathering academics, researchers, and tourism professionals from across Libya and the Mediterranean region. The event underscored the university’s commitment to advancing research and capacity in cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, and archaeology.

The conference was spearheaded by a dedicated Organizing Committee, led by prominent figures such as Dr. Belieed and Dr. Abdulbasit, who played a key role in designing the scientific program, coordinating panels, and ensuring broad participation. Their leadership helped make the event a dynamic platform for dialogue and cooperation.

WestMED facilitating sustainable tourism initiatives
The WestMED Initiative was represented by Ms. Stephanie Vella, Malta’s National Hub and Dr. Masauda Abuarosha from Libya’s National Hub.

During her intervention, Ms. Stephanie Vella presented the WestMED Tourism Technical Group in-depth, explaining its mission to promote sustainable tourism in the western Mediterranean. She detailed how the group operates, the kinds of projects it supports (such as community- based tourism, capacity building, and cross-border initiatives), and how interested stakeholders can engage. She also encouraged researchers, students, and tourism practitioners to register and take part in the Tourism Technical Group, highlighting that active involvement opens doors to regional cooperation, training opportunities, and the ability to contribute to future Mediterranean tourism strategies.

Dr. Masauda Abuarosha, shared Libya’s ongoing engagement with WestMED, including efforts to establish a Libyan Maritime Cluster, foster university-to-university cooperation, and integrate blue economy thinking into tourism and heritage preservation. She emphasized that Libya’s coastline offers valuable potential for sustainable maritime tourism and cultural conservation.

The presence of WestMED at the conference sparked considerable interest among attendees, especially given the initiative’s growing influence in promoting sustainable coastal development, protecting marine heritage, and enabling innovation in the blue economy.

In his closing remarks, the President of Tobruk University and the Organizing Committee thanked the WestMED representatives for their vital contribution, Tobruk University reaffirmed its dedication to fostering academic excellence, regional partnerships, and sustainable development in the fields of tourism and archaeology.

For more information: contact Masauda Abuarosha: libya@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

Libya Strengthens its Blue Economy Research

16 November 2025/in News /by Communication team

Recognition of Outstanding Researchers in Benghazi Coincides with the Establishment of the First Marine Technology College in the Eastern Region Cyrenaica.

As part of Libya’s growing commitment to advance scientific research and developing its blue economy, the Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education held a ceremony in Benghazi on 15 November 2025 to honor distinguished researchers and graduates within the framework of the Scientific Excellence Award – – Second Edition

Among the honorees was Sarah Al-Mabrouk, recognized for her valuable contributions in the field of marine sciences.

This recognition comes at a pivotal moment, following the issuance of Cabinet Decision No. (91) of 2025, which officially establishes the Marine Technology College in Derna — the first institution of its kind in the Eastern Region (Barqa).

The newly established college will enjoy financial and administrative independence and will fall under the Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education, with its budget to be integrated into the national budget starting in 2026. The decision also mandates coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to approve the college’s internal regulations and academic departments.

The establishment of this college represents a significant milestone in building national capacities in marine technology, navigation, marine resource management, and applied maritime sciences. It reinforces Libya’s commitment to developing a sustainable blue economy grounded in knowledge, innovation, and skilled human resources.

The WestMED Initiative commends these national efforts, viewing the recognition of young researchers and the creation of the Marine Technology College as essential steps toward strengthening maritime education, enhancing research capabilities, and supporting sustainable coastal development in Libya.

WestMED congratulates all the award recipients and welcomes the establishment of the Marine Technology College as a strategic advancement toward a more resilient and prosperous blue economy for the country.

For more information contact the WestMED National Hub Libya (Masauda Abuarosha): libya@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

WestMED Mauritania at the Atlantic Marine, Energy and Industrial Support Summit 2025

7 November 2025/in News /by National Hub Mauritania

The Atlantic Marine, Energy and Industrial Support Summit (AMEISS), jointly organised by Oneport and the National Federation of Industry, Mines and Energy, was held in Nouakchott at the Fasq Hotel on 28 and 29 October 2025 and attended by several industrial, institutional and research stakeholders and experts from Mauritania and Spain to discuss opportunities for partnerships in the field of energy and maritime development between the Canary Islands and Mauritania.

WestMED intervention
The Mauritanian National Hub actively participated as a panellist in the Blue Economy, Governance and Collaboration Panel on ‘Response to maritime emergencies, efforts and collaboration of the blue economy in Mauritania’.

During these presentations, Dr Mohamed Lemine Abdel Hamid, Mauritania National Hub, first presented the European Union’s WestMED Initiative, its history, objectives, members and the structure of its assistance mechanism. He recalled that Mauritania had the opportunity to co-chair the initiative in 2022 and 2023. He then presented the main achievements of the National Hub in promoting the blue economy in Mauritania, including the organisation of six dedicated national events between 2019 and 2025, the creation of the Mauritanian maritime cluster, which brings together the main maritime stakeholders, and the institutionalisation of a Technical Advisor position in charge of the Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime and Port Infrastructure. He recalled that the efforts of the WestMED Initiative in Mauritania had inspired other partners in Mauritania.

In this context, he cited the World Bank, which is currently preparing a major WACA+ project that should include a component dedicated to promoting the blue economy in Mauritania. Similarly, the BIE has just signed a €20 million loan agreement with a Mauritanian bank (BEA-Al AMANA) to finance projects in the blue economy sector in Mauritania.

The presentation by the Mauritania National Hub generated a great deal of interest among participants.

On the sidelines of this event, the Mauritania National Hub met with the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster to discuss opportunities for collaboration.

For more information contact the WestMED National Hub Mauritania (Mohamed Lemine): mauritania@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu

Two men posing behind table in libya. ali shagrune and saber al-azabi

President of the Libyan Maritime Cluster and WestMED coordinator meets with the Libyan Minister of Marine Wealth

13 October 2025/in News /by Communication team

On 12 October 2025, H.E. Dr. Saber Al-Azabi, Minister of Marine Wealth, met with Eng. Ali Mohamed Ageli Shagrune, President of the Libyan Maritime Cluster and National Coordinator WestMED Steering Committee Member of the Initiative.

At the beginning of the meeting, His Excellency welcomed Eng. Shagrune and praised his significant efforts in strengthening international cooperation and promoting the development of Libya’s blue economy. He also commended the active role played by the Libyan Maritime Cluster in supporting blue economy initiatives.

The meeting discussed the activities of the Libyan Maritime Cluster and its collaboration with maritime clusters in friendly countries within the framework of blue economy initiatives that aim to transform Libya’s economy from a rent-based system to a diversified and sustainable one, built on innovation and investment in marine resources.

Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing regional and international partnerships in the fields of fisheries, aquaculture, marine renewable energy, and sustainable coastal governance, to contribute to building a prosperous economic future for Libya.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Eng. Ali Shagrune expressed his sincere appreciation to H.E. the Minister for the warm reception and reaffirmed the Libyan Maritime Cluster’s readiness to continue joint efforts with the Ministry of Marine Wealth in pursuit of a national vision for a sustainable blue economy in Libya.

group photo with EU sea basins people in conference room in Brussels during the Macro-Regional and Sea Basin Strategies days in Brussels

Simon Pugh

EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism strengthens Maritime Cooperation

1 October 2025/in News /by Communication team

Copyright photo: Simon Pugh

EU Sea Basin Assistance Mechanism gathers experts from 15 countries to discuss maritime regional cooperation in Europe’s Atlantic facade, the Western Mediterranean and the Black Sea

On 25 September 2025, alongside the Macro-Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days, a dedicated networking event was held in Brussels for the National Hubs of the Sea Basin Strategies’ Assistance Mechanism. The gathering served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, strategic reflection, and future-oriented discussions aimed at advancing the EU’s Sea Basin Strategies and the Ocean Pact.

The session began with presentations on two key EU policy initiatives: the newly introduced European Ocean Pact and the upcoming budget framework for the blue economy.

The Ocean Pact outlines the EU’s comprehensive vision for ocean governance, consolidating various ocean-related policies under one strategic umbrella. It focuses on six core objectives: safeguarding ocean health, promoting a sustainable and competitive blue economy, empowering coastal and island communities, enhancing maritime security, expanding ocean literacy and research, and strengthening global ocean diplomacy.
The proposed 2028–2034 EU budget aims to offer greater flexibility to Member States and increase support for sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and maritime sectors. It also prioritizes investment in ocean monitoring, innovation, blue economy initiatives, and international marine governance.

Engaging with National Hubs

National Hubs play a central role in implementing sea basin strategies at the national level. They collaborate closely with the European Commission, national authorities, implementing bodies, and regional stakeholders. During the event, representatives from the National Hubs, Sea Basin coordinators, the Assistance Mechanism team, DG MARE, and CINEA shared perspectives on enhancing future cooperation. The open format encouraged candid discussions on current challenges, opportunities, and reaffirmed a collective commitment to the EU’s maritime vision.

Celebrating Success: Photo Exhibition

On the Macro-Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days, a photo exhibition showcased impactful projects supported by the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism. The exhibition featured projects from across the Atlantic, Black Sea and WestMED, such as:

Aquawind (Atlantic) – a pioneering project combining offshore renewable energy with finfish aquaculture, offering innovative solutions for sustainable food and energy production.
Black Sea CONNECT (Black Sea) – focused on boosting research collaboration and launching the Black Sea Young Ambassadors Programme.
2B-BLUE (WestMED) – aimed at strengthening the blue biotechnology sector through demonstration sites, public–private partnerships, and knowledge exchange.

These examples illustrate how the Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism is driving innovation, fostering cross-border collaboration, and promoting knowledge-sharing across Europe’s maritime regions. From renewable energy in ports to youth engagement and blue biotech, the showcased projects reflect the Ocean Pact’s goals in action—protecting marine ecosystems, empowering coastal communities, and building a resilient blue economy.

The networking event reaffirmed the essential role of National Hubs in delivering the EU’s Sea Basins Strategies and underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation to achieve shared maritime objectives.

people listening in conference room seated at round tables with a speaker presenting.

Libya advances capacity building and quality assurance in the fisheries sector

14 September 2025/in News, Uncategorized /by Communication team

On 14 September 2025, Tripoli hosted a national workshop to define priorities and develop an action plan for a capacity-building and quality assurance program in Libya’s fisheries sector.

The event gathered representatives from government institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, research bodies and the private sector, creating a platform for dialogue on current challenges and future opportunities for the sustainable development of fisheries in Libya.

Discussions focused on strengthening quality assurance mechanisms, aligning with international standards, and identifying training needs to improve skills across the sector. Participants highlighted the importance of adopting modern practices in fishing, production and distribution to reinforce supply chains and build confidence in Libyan fish products at both national and international levels.

By improving competitiveness, the initiative is expected to contribute to economic diversification, job creation and stronger integration of Libya into the Mediterranean blue economy.

The workshop was organized under the framework of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union in Libya with co-funding from the French government, and implemented by Expertise France in cooperation with Libyan partners. The project supports skills development and employment governance, paving the way for more inclusive and sustainable growth.

More information

Contact Masauda Abuarosha (WestMED National Hub Libya): libya@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
More about the launch of the EU4Skills in Libya (august 2024)

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