WestMED Champions Blue Economy Capacity Building at High‑Level Libyan International Maritime Economy Forum
The Libyan International Maritime Economy Forum, held on 10–11 January 2026 in the Misurata Free Zone, brought together high-level national, regional, and international stakeholders to discuss critical issues in the maritime economy, transport logistics, and trade; reflecting Libya’s strategic position linking Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean.
The Forum was hosted under the auspices of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, in cooperation with the Libya Trade Network and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), and attracted business leaders, policymakers, and experts from Libya and abroad.
The Forum aimed to showcase the role of the maritime economy as a driver of international trade and national economic diversification, with sessions that examined opportunities to develop maritime infrastructure, enhance transport and logistics networks, and build stronger regional trade partnerships.
Speakers stressed Libya’s potential to strengthen its position as a regional hub for maritime services, while supporting investment and job creation in coastal economic sectors.
Maritime Clusters
In addition to the official sessions, the Forum featured active participation from Mediterranean maritime clusters, including the Libyan Maritime Cluster and Tunisian Maritime Cluster, whose representatives contributed perspectives on cluster development, inter-cluster cooperation, and private-sector engagement in blue economy value chains.
WestMED Contribution
A key contribution came from Leonardo Manzari, who presented on behalf of the WestMED Initiative, highlighting the range of WestMED mechanisms and tools available to Mediterranean partners. In his presentation,He outlined the structure and role of WestMED’s Technical Groups (TGs), and spoke about funding opportunities and project support streams designed to foster investment, skills development, and institutional cooperation across the region. His remarks emphasized how WestMED supports capacity building, knowledge exchange, and cross-border project collaboration among Mediterranean coastal states.
Ali Shagruni (WestMEd’s National Coordinator for Libya) and Masauda Abuarosha (WestMED’National Hub for Libya) also presented at the Forum, focusing on the importance of establishing a unified national framework for Libya’s Blue Economy.
Their interventions highlighted the need for cohesive national strategies that align education, workforce development, and regulatory frameworks with international maritime economic priorities, a theme that resonated throughout the Forum’s discussions.
High level strategic discussions
Significant attendence by senior Libyan figures, including ministers and economists, who underscored the economic significance of the maritime sector for diversifying Libya’s economy and enhancing its role in global supply chains.
Discussions addressed how enhanced governance, modernized logistics infrastructure, and strategic partnerships can unlock investment and support Libya’s integration into broader Mediterranean economic networks.
Overall, the Forum served as a platform for dialogue and partnership, connecting Libyan and international stakeholders on shared priorities for maritime economic growth, sustainable development, and skills and institutional capacity strengthening.
For more information contact Masauda Abuarosha (WestMED National Hub Libya)
