The EU-Mediterranean and African Network for Economic Studies (EMANES) organised its seventh Annual Conference – 2023 “Novel approaches for regional partnerships in the EU-Mediterranean and Africa” which took place at EMEA HQs at Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on 13-15 December 2023.
The EMANES Annual Conference 2023 was organized by EMEA in collaboration with CEPS, and brought together EMANES Researchers and members, international economists, policy experts and policy makers.
Day 1 – 13 December 2023
The first day of the conference opened with a welcome speech by EMEA President and EMANES Director Prof. Rym Ayadi. She emphasized that “the novel approaches of regional partnerships among the European Union, the Mediterranean, and Africa stand as a testament to innovative collaboration in a multi-polar geopolitical and geo-economic order. These partnerships could become pioneering pathways in sustainable development, credible strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, leveraging digital transformation, renewable energy sources, and inclusive economic strategies anchored in just transition. They embody a shared vision for a future where technological advancements, environmental stewardship, and social equity converge, marking a new era of interconnected progress and mutual prosperity.”
The first day of the conference opened with a welcome speech by EMEA President and EMANES Director Prof. Rym Ayadi. She emphasized that “the novel approaches of regional partnerships among the European Union, the Mediterranean, and Africa stand as a testament to innovative collaboration in a multi-polar geopolitical and geo-economic order. These partnerships could become pioneering pathways in sustainable development, credible strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, leveraging digital transformation, renewable energy sources, and inclusive economic strategies anchored in just transition. They embody a shared vision for a future where technological advancements, environmental stewardship, and social equity converge, marking a new era of interconnected progress and mutual prosperity.”
In his keynote speech “Looking Ahead from the Polycrisis to Responsibility and Adaptation in the Future of Europe and Africa” Giovanni Ferri connected the environmental and social crises together with the multiple components of the current multi-faceted instability. In particular, after documenting Europe’s leadership in the sustainable transition, Ferri highlighted how, in spite of being the continent that contributed less to create CO2, Africa is paying the greatest toll, including through large flows of climate migrants. The conclusion was that Europe needs to take responsibility and engage Africa in a process of concerted adaptation.
The first day of the Conference included 1 Academic Session:
- Academic Session 1: “Regional integration and Global value chains” where 3 papers were presented and discussed. The session was chaired by Giorgia Giovannetti, Vice President for international Relationships, University of Firenze.
Link to the agenda of the 1st day of the EMANES AC 2023
Day 2 – 14 December 2023
On the second day of the EMANES Annual Conference 2023 the Policy Session “What Euro-Med African Partnership for climate change adaptation and mitigation?” took place.
It was moderated by Prof. Rym Ayadi and the panel included Cinzia Alcidi, Director of Research, Head of the Economic Policy Unit at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) and EMEA Advisor, Nathalie Hilmi, Section Head of Environmental Economics, Scientific Center of Monaco and EMEA advisor, Grammenos Mastrojeni, Senior Deputy Secretary General, Union for the Mediterranean and Iolanda Fresnillo, Policy and Advocacy Manager – Debt Justice Eurodad.
Prof. Ayadi highlighted during the session “In the face of climate change, the European Union, Mediterranean region, and Africa each confront unique challenges, yet share a common goal: to harmoniously blend sustainable development with environmental stewardship. Their joint efforts in mitigation and adaptation, from the ambitious European Green Deal to Africa’s climate-smart agriculture and the Mediterranean’s focus on water and energy management, exemplify a global commitment to a resilient and equitable future. This tripartite collaboration underscores the importance of international partnerships, equitable solutions, and robust governance in navigating the complexities of a warming world.”
Also, on the second day of the conference Prof. Ayadi introduced the session on Regional Integration. During the session the Regional Integration Matrix Dashboard was presented by Elena Stotts-Lee, EMEA Research Assistant.
The second day of the Conference included 3 Academic Sessions:
- Academic session 2: Human development and sustainability – Chaired by Roger Albinyana, Managing Director, IEMed
- Academic session 3: Financial inclusion – Chaired by Najat El Mekkaoui, Paris Dauphine University and EMEA
- Academic session 4: Food security and green growth – Chaired by Sandra Challita, EMANES Coordinator, EMEA and Emlyon
In each session 3 papers were presented and discussed for a total of 9 papers. Link to the agenda of the 2nd day of the EMANES AC 2023
Day 3 – 15 December 2023
The third day of the EMANES Annual Conference 2023 started with the Policy Keynote speech “Tomorrow at work: The age of shortages” by Ekkehard Ernst, member of the STOA International Advisory Board – European Parliament, President of the Geneva Macro Labs, Chief Macroeconomist at the International Labour Organization and EMEA Advisor. In his speech he emphasized that “Lack of workers, not lack of jobs is what is preventing us from moving towards a sustainable society“.
H.E. Fathallah Sijilmassi, Director General of the African Union Commission and Member of the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association – EMEA Advisory Board, delivered the 2nd Policy Keynote speech of the day and underlined that “Africa’s priorities are captured in our Agenda 2063 which sets the goals and targets for increased regional integration”.
The third day of the Conference included 2 Academic Sessions:
- Academic session 5: Labour Markets – Chaired by Raul Ramos, Vice-Rector of Internationalisation Policy at the University of Barcelona
- Academic session 6: Climate Risk – Chaired by Nathalie Hilmi, Section Head of Environmental Economics, Scientific Center of Monaco
In each session 3 papers were presented and discussed for a total of 6 papers. Link to the agenda of the 3rd day of the EMANES AC 2023
The EMANES Annual Conference 2023 closed with the final remarks by Dr. Cinzia Alcidi and the announcement of the Best Paper Awards by Prof. Rym Ayadi who highlighted that for this year’s conference 45 papers were received from 29 countries at the call for papers. 18 papers were accepted by the scientific committee and presented at the conference.
The winning papers were:
- Paper 1: “Effects of economic complexity and energy consumption on inclusive green growth” – Authors: Isaac K. Ofori (University of Cape Coast), Emmanuel Gbolonyo and Nathanael Ojong
- Paper 2: “GVC and Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from MENA” – Author: Yasmine Eissa, Misr International University
- Paper 3: “Interpretable machine learning models for ESG stock prices under transition and physical climate risk” – Authors: Haithem Awijen, Sami Ben Jabeur (ESDES Business School), Julien Pillot.
The awarded papers will receive 2,000 Euros of research budget in order to continue their research under these topics. The award is funded by the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association – EMEA.
You can find the agenda and watch the videos at the EMANES Annual Conference 2023 website.
