Cairo: The 10th Summit of Speakers of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) and the 19th plenary session of the PA-UfM kicked off Saturday, July 04, 2026, at the House of Representatives headquarters in the New Capital, under the chairmanship of President of the Assembly MP Mohamed Abou el Enein.
According to State Information Service Egypt, in his opening speech, Abou el-Enein noted that the summit coincides with a national event of special significance for Egypt-the official inauguration of the country's new Strategic Command Headquarters. He described this inauguration as a pivotal achievement in Egypt's journey toward building a new republic, reflecting the state's vision that nation-building begins with strengthening institutions to safeguard national security and protect resources.
Abou el-Enein highlighted that Egypt has presided over the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) since June 2025, a period marked by numerous challenges. The Egyptian presidency has aimed to transform the Assembly into an effective platform for dialogue and a key partner in supporting stability, promoting economic integration, and empowering youth and women.
Cairo previously hosted the Summit of Speakers of Parliaments and the Economic Forum in November to mark the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration. During this event, participants reaffirmed their commitment to its vision and welcomed the New Pact for the Mediterranean, which was drafted with shared ownership through a broad consultative process involving stakeholders from both the southern and northern shores of the Mediterranean.
Abou el Enein praised Dubravka ‚¬¦ uica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, for her significant efforts in preparing the pact and her ongoing work to implement it. He emphasized that the pact offers a genuine opportunity to transform challenges into opportunities by providing a practical framework comprising over 100 projects and initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, supporting innovation, and expanding investment and regional integration prospects.
Reflecting on three decades since the Barcelona Declaration, Abou el Enein emphasized the need for the Euro-Mediterranean partnership to adapt to a world fundamentally different from the past, advocating for a more ambitious and effective vision. He called for a transition from traditional cooperation to genuine integration, focusing on sustainable development and interdependence to build a shared future.
The lawmaker outlined that the next phase requires partnerships centered on investment, joint production, knowledge transfer, technology localization, and the development of regional value chains. He also highlighted the importance of increased investment in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, the blue economy, smart agriculture, digital infrastructure, and transport and logistics connectivity corridors. These efforts aim to make the Mediterranean region a leading global center for growth and innovation.