The Mediterranean region is grappling with various challenges that demand urgent attention. Ranging from armed conflicts to health challenges, socio-economic disparities, and environmental degradation, these issues require collective solutions. These issues have complicated efforts to address shared concerns and currently threaten to widen the divide between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. This is why the 10th edition of the Rome MED couldn’t be happening at a more appropriate time.
The conference’s significance lies in its potential to reinvigorate dialogue, cooperation, and a sense of shared purpose among Mediterranean stakeholders. However, to move beyond mere rhetoric, concrete solutions must be implemented.
Need for a Constructive Dialogue that Can Proffer Solutions
Conflict and political instability have made fostering dialogue between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean increasingly difficult. Yet, dialogue is not a luxury —it's a necessity. At a time when geopolitical tensions dominate, we must focus on depoliticising discussions on universally shared concerns such as humanitarian aid, security, healthcare, education, development, and environmental protection.
Also, it is essential at this point for us to put aside our cultural differences and combine resources to work collaboratively towards achieving our end goal of alleviating human suffering. All of the problems bedevilling our beloved Mediterranean region are solvable if we work together. The focus should be on generating mutual benefits rather than fueling ideological divides.
Trust-building measures, like joint climate projects and educational exchanges, can help mend the fractured trust between the shores. The Mediterranean region, known for its biodiversity, faces severe threats due to climate change. This makes the area an area ripe for collaborative action. Also, joint projects on renewable energy, water management, and sustainable agriculture can serve as a springboard for dialogue, drawing diverse stakeholders into a shared vision of a resilient Mediterranean.
Enhancing Cooperation in Health and Development
Health is another critical arena for cooperation. At the moment, the field is marked by fragmentation and inefficiencies. Diverse actors —from international organisations and development banks to civil society and academia —operate in silos, often duplicating efforts. Effective health cooperation in the Mediterranean would, therefore, require a comprehensive, multi-level approach that aligns goals and leverages resources.
To start, better communication channels among stakeholders are crucial. Creating joint health task forces can facilitate the sharing of information and best practices, enabling a more unified response to regional health crises. Collaborative research initiatives can also be instrumental. For example, coordinated studies on the region's unique health challenges —such as the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and the impacts of climate change on public health— could guide evidence-based policy-making.
Public-private partnerships should also be a priority. The private sector can bring innovation, funding, and advanced management strategies, but it must be balanced with public health goals to ensure equitable outcomes. An excellent starting point would be investing in training and capacity-building for health professionals across the region, as a shortage of qualified personnel remains a pressing issue. Multilateral development banks must play a more proactive role in financing these initiatives, shifting from a purely economic lens to one that also encompasses human development.
Funding mechanisms for health cooperation must be re-evaluated. The current models often fail to address the unique needs of the Mediterranean's diverse economies, especially those lagging in development. A "reset" in multilateral funding, one that prioritizes health financing and allows for the training of local health professionals, could significantly bolster the region’s ability to handle health crises. Addressing these challenges will require the harmonization of health regulations, allowing for a more cohesive and effective response to public health issues across borders.
The Need to Overcome Barriers to Effective Cooperation
In some parts of the Mediterranean, there remains a critical shortage of trained health personnel. Developing a resource allocation protocol that takes into account the specific needs of each country is essential. For instance, Eastern Mediterranean nations lacking comprehensive family medicine models should receive targeted support to develop and upscale these systems. According to estimates, the region will require over 2 million additional health workers by 2030 to meet its needs, underscoring the urgency of coordinated action.
Another area for improvement is integrating civil society more effectively into health initiatives. This means not only funding but also involving local organizations in the decision-making process. They have invaluable insights into the socio-cultural realities of the region, which can inform more culturally sensitive health policies. Encouraging cross-border exchanges and harmonizing regulations would facilitate a more unified and efficient health response. Such measures would not only address current health challenges but also lay a foundation for a more resilient health infrastructure in the region.
By fostering genuine partnerships, investing in health and education, and prioritising climate and environmental issues, the Mediterranean region can solve some if not all of its unique challenges. Indeed, these challenges are immense. However, with coordinated efforts, the opportunities for transformation are even greater. The expectation is that the Rome MED 2024 conference will set the tone for the reforms and transformations we hope to see soon.