The Mediterranean Growth Initiative and its mgi.online platform celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2025.
In 2015 the world was a different place. Multilateralism held sway. The Paris Agreement on Climate and a Deal on Iran’s nuclear program were agreed. Trade focused more on deepening interconnectivity within global value chains. The US had signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement was progressing and signed in 2018.
Ten years on, and we see nationalism on the rise with political narratives threatening global trade. What has worked until today, will not define tomorrow. Alliances are redesigned. Here in the Mediterranean, The Levant’s map is being redrawn.
The Mediterranean remains a crucial link between the East and the West. The region’s interconnectivity is pivotal - serving as a gateway to Africa for Europe, a bridge to the West for the Middle East, and a trade corridor to key global markets for the East.
The region remains a diverse mix of risks and opportunities for investors.
In times of geopolitical change, diversification matters.
The strength of the Mediterranean lies in its diversity and this applies to its market risk profile, as well as policymakers’ trade and industrial policies.
Our vision remains committed to presenting evidence-based analysis for the region’s potential in regional and global trade, as well as security.
Our MedTrends series continues to take a closer look at the data defining the region’s trade and socioeconomics.
Our work with our partners and key stakeholders remains vivid and engaged, fuelled by our analysis.
The potential of the region remains untapped.
Our analysis shows that intra-Mediterranean connectivity has not inched any deeper in the 10 years we have been tracking it.
More must be done.
Even if the tide is turning towards ‘National’ rather than ‘Regional’, we in the Mediterranean cannot afford to lose sight of the potential.
The ‘National’ has to become ‘Regional’ in outlook, institutions and investment if we are to meet our prosperous future.
We are grateful to our collaborators and our partners for the 10 years of productive and creative work.
We look with optimism at the silver linings of our Mediterranean world, welcoming new possibilities and collaborations for our region.
Cleopatra.