WestMED Steering Committee gathers in Brussels to discuss progress
The recent WestMED Steering Committee meeting held on 9th April marked a significant moment of transition and collaboration among Mediterranean partners.
The new co-presidency, now held by Tunisia and Portugal, was warmly welcomed, and gratitude was extended to Mauritania for its previous leadership.
Continuing momentum
The discussions emphasized the importance of continuing the momentum with strategic initiatives like the Ocean Pact and a reinforced focus on blue skills, ocean literacy, and sustainable development. DG MARE highlighted past achievements, including 115 project ideas—45 of which secured funding totalling €71 million—underscoring the need for even greater ambition.
Several upcoming events such as the European Maritime Day in Cork, the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), and Macro-regional days in Brussels were noted as platforms for further engagement and showcasing WestMED initiatives.
Key themes
Key themes across national contributions included the strengthening of cooperation between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean, addressing regional disparities, and better aligning project funding with strategic priorities.
Countries like Spain and Italy emphasized joint efforts in sustainable fisheries, maritime connectivity, and climate adaptation, while Morocco and Libya stressed the need for more tailored support and financial mechanisms to meet southern countries’ needs. The Technical Groups (TGs), especially on green shipping, blue skills, aquaculture, and sustainable tourism, were recognized as essential vehicles for delivering tangible outcomes.
However, calls were made for stronger coordination, evaluation systems, and pilot actions to ensure more cohesive and impactful implementation. A clear consensus emerged around the importance of inclusivity, shared expertise, and building a resilient, innovative, and balanced Blue Economy across the Mediterranean.
WestMED Technical Groups
A core focus part of this Steering Committee meeting was to assess the status and achievements of each WestMED Technical Group (TG): Green Shipping and Ports, AquaWEST, Sustainable Tourism and Maritime Cluster Alliance, with a showcase of successful projects supported by the TGs. A particular emphasis was placed on blue skills, blue careers, and ocean literacy, highlighting relevant initiatives and activities facilitated by the TGs.
WestMED Stakeholder Conference 2025
It was agreed that the next WestMED Stakeholder Conference will take place on November 28 2025 in Tunis, Tunisia. It will also include the 3rd edition of the WestMED projects awards.
The Conference will be back-to-back to an in-person Steering Committee meeting on November 27.
Next WestMED Steering Committee Meeting
The Steering Committee members, Observers, the Commission and the Assistance Mechanism will gather again next 26th June online.
