President of the Italian Republic, H E Sergio Mattarella (centre) with other leaders at the event.
Rome, Italy: The 10th edition of the Rome MED –Mediterranean Dialogues 2024 kicked off Monday in Rome in presence of the President of the Italian Republic, H E Sergio Mattarella, the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H E Antonio Tajani, and the President of ISPI, Franco Bruni and several foreign ministers of Arab and non-Arab countries and high-profile diplomates.
Speakers at the opening session were the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, and the President of ISPI, Franco Bruni; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, Eyman Safadi; Minister of Foreign Affairs, of Egypt, Badr Abdelatty; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Lebanon Abdallah Bou Habib; Minister of Foreign Affairs of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar; Secretary General of Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
The three-day conference will hold over 40 panels and several closed doors sessions and more than 200 speakers and participation of 2000 people. The Middle East is facing a challenging time said ISPI president welcoming the participants “I am sending said my deepest gratitude to all participation.
The Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, highlighted the ongoing war on Gaza and Lebanon calling on the international community not to give up to restore peace and security. He pointed out that “Italy is working with partners to achieve ceasefire in Gaz, to ensure food supply as a part of the solidarity campaign aimed at bring food to Gaza. He said priority of his country is to ensure building peace, and work with partners to ensure security and safety of marine trade, adding that his country has taken several initiatives to help Africa in particular in the field of Education.
This high-profile gathering on Mediterranean affairs is an annual event organized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with ISPI (Italian Institute for International Political Studies). This gathering seeks to redefine traditional perspectives on the Mediterranean by fostering innovative solutions and drafting a “positive agenda” for the region. This agenda addresses pressing security and socio-economic challenges through collaborative visions and actions.
Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, emphasized that 650,000 children in Gaza have been left without access to education, as schools have been reduced to rubble. He underscored Jordan's priorities, which include achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, launching a large-scale humanitarian aid initiative to address food, healthcare, and educational needs, reopening border crossing points, and facilitating reconstruction efforts.
The Jordanian Foreign Minister also focused on the severe humanitarian and political crises in Gaza and the broader Middle East. In his speech during the opening session highlighted the devastating toll of war, including the destruction of infrastructure, loss of lives, and denial of basic rights such as education and security. They advocate for an immediate ceasefire, followed by large-scale humanitarian aid to address urgent needs like food, medicine, and shelter.
Gaza faces devastating destruction of schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, leaving thousands dead and displaced he said adding that similar challenges are seen in Lebanon and Syria, with widespread suffering and instability.
He urged an immediate and permanent ceasefire to halt violence and facilitate humanitarian aid, such as food, medicine, and essential supplies. Jordan is ready to assist through humanitarian corridors he said.
He also stressed the need to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, addressing occupation and ensuring sovereignty for Palestinians.
Safadi emphasized the importance of peace and regional stability to tackle shared challenges like economic development, migration, and climate change. Warns that failure to act will deepen divisions and perpetuate conflict.
He called for global unity, fairness, and adherence to international law to restore hope and build a better future for all in the region.
Global actors need to work with regional actors to prevent these crises in Gaza not to happen again. He emphasized that to achieve this we need to work together to address the Palestinian issue and implement the two-state solution.
Safadi underscored that Arab countries are ready to work with different partners to achieve ceasefire and bring peace to the region.
Egyptian Foreign and Emigration Minister Badr Abdelatty said during the opening this conference is being held during a critical stage as the Mediterranean countries are facing serious security and political challenges, particularly in light of the real threat to peace and security in the Middle East region as a result of the year-long aggression against the Gaza Strip, and the blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
He underlined the position of Egyptian that is based on the necessity of reaching an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, the release of hostages and detainees, and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid.
Abdelatty also stressed the importance of the transition to finding a political horizon to implement the two-state solution, noting that Cairo will host a “Call for Action” conference to strengthen the humanitarian response in Gaza. The conference will be held on December 2.
The Mediterranean region has significant economic potential that should be utilised within the framework of a real partnership between the Mediterranean countries with the view to achieving mutual interests, he added.
Abdelatty touched on the unresolved issue of migration, stressing Egypt’s full commitment to combating illegal migration within the framework of a comprehensive approach that addresses its root causes.
Speaking about the situation in the Red Sea he pointed out that his country is one of the most affected because of the current escalation in the Red Sea and interruption of international ship traffic. The decline in revenues from the Suez Canal is very high said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, India H E Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also spoke during the opening session stressing his country’s strategic and economic interests in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, highlighting India's significant trade and cultural ties with these regions. Key topics include the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), defense collaborations, and partnerships in technology, energy, and infrastructure. The speaker underlines India’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in the Middle East, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy over conflict.
India’s position on major conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, is to prioritize humanitarian relief, international law, and long-term solutions like the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. The speech also touches on India's role as a global leader in advocating for cooperation and addressing challenges like climate change and supply chain disruptions. The overarching theme is India’s proactive role in fostering regional stability and global connectivity through partnerships and innovation.
Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian efforts and conflict resolution in the face of escalating global violence. It highlights the disproportionate impact of conflicts on civilians, especially vulnerable groups like the elderly and women, and stresses the importance of immediate actions such as ceasefires, the facilitation of humanitarian aid, and the protection of civilians.
The UAE’s commitment to humanitarian aid is showcased, with the nation emerging as a leading global donor and emphasizing the integration of humanitarian considerations into decision-making processes. The speaker also underscores the importance of resolving conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, through political dialogue to prevent further human suffering and instability. The broader message calls for greater global attention to lesser-known conflicts and a concerted effort to ensure peace, stability, and a better future for the next generation.
