Circle the Med

Circle the Med Circle the Med Forum represents a pathway to sustainability. It follows a new development model that decouples growth from resource constraints.

We are promoting new production-consumption models and business initiatives in a “circular way”.

05/06/2026

On the occasion of , George A. Papandreou, President of and former Prime Minister of Greece, shares a message on environmental protection, sustainability, and the urgent need for coordinated action.🌍

Highlighting the importance of solidarity and shared responsibility, he calls for deeper among nations, institutions, and societies to address the environmental challenges of our time and advance a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Environmental stewardship remains a cornerstone of resilience, prosperity, and well-being, safeguarding the future of both present and coming generations.

The 9th Edition of – The Mediterranean Forum has come to a close.This year, we welcomed more than 800 participants in ...
29/05/2026

The 9th Edition of – The Mediterranean Forum has come to a close.

This year, we welcomed more than 800 participants in Piraeus and 2,500 online attendees from 58 countries, bringing together leaders, experts, innovators, and civil society to exchange ideas and shape solutions for the future of the Mediterranean.

We were honoured to open the Forum with the keynote address of H.E. Constantine An. Tassoulas, President of the Hellenic Republic.

From climate adaptation and the energy transition to maritime cooperation, cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, and democratic governance, this year’s discussions reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and partnership in addressing the challenges we share.

Thank you to all speakers, partners, sponsors, participants, and supporters who made this edition possible.

The Mediterranean’s future depends on our ability to work together.

George A. Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece and President of Circle the Med, will open the 9th Circle the Med ...
18/05/2026

George A. Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece and President of Circle the Med, will open the 9th Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum on Tuesday, 19 May at 14:00 at the Piraeus Sailing Club.

Throughout his public life, George Papandreou has consistently championed climate action, environmental sustainability, democratic governance, and regional cooperation, promoting dialogue and multilateral engagement across Europe and the Mediterranean. Long before climate diplomacy became central to the international agenda, he advocated for sustainable development and collective environmental responsibility as pillars of peace, stability, and long-term prosperity.

As Minister of Education, Foreign Minister, Prime Minister of Greece, and President of Socialist International, he has worked to strengthen international cooperation and advance progressive responses to global environmental and geopolitical challenges.

Today, as General Rapporteur on Democracy at the Council of Europe and President of the International Olympic Truce Centre, he continues to promote the principles of ekecheiria — peace, dialogue, and cooperation among nations — at a time when the Mediterranean and the wider world face profound geopolitical and environmental pressures.

His opening remarks will set the strategic tone for this year’s Forum and for a renewed Mediterranean dialogue rooted in shared responsibility and collective action.

Register here: https://www.circlethemed.com/e/circle-the-med-9th-edition/signup

📍 Piraeus Sailing Club, Greece🗓 19 May 2026

Maria Damanaki, Independent Advisor on Climate - Oceans, and Professor of Marine Policy at NOVA University of Lisbon, wi...
15/05/2026

Maria Damanaki, Independent Advisor on Climate - Oceans, and Professor of Marine Policy at NOVA University of Lisbon, will be joining the 9th Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum as a speaker.

Internationally recognized for her leadership in global ocean governance and marine conservation, serving as advisor to Oceans5 and the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, and as a member of the Friends of Ocean Action of the World Economic Forum, she co-chairs the network of the High-Level Ocean Panel and serves on the boards of major international organizations, including Global Fishing Watch, the Marine Stewardship Council, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco.

Formerly the European Union Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Global Managing Director for Oceans at The Nature Conservancy, she has played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable fisheries, ocean protection, and international environmental policy. A pioneering figure in Greek politics and the first woman leader of a Greek political party, she is also the author of four books on gender, human rights, education, and European policy.

📍 Piraeus, Greece
🗓 19 May 2026

We are honoured to welcome Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment...
14/05/2026

We are honoured to welcome Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection, and the Greek Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Ocean, as a speaker at the 9th Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum.

An internationally respected voice in environmental governance and sustainable development, Dr. Avgerinopoulou has played a leading role across major global and Mediterranean institutions, including the Global Water Partnership, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the Mediterranean Commission for Sustainable Development.

Recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader and recipient of the UNEP/OCHA/Green Cross “Green Star” Award, her work bridges environmental diplomacy, ocean governance, climate resilience, and international cooperation.

With extensive experience across international institutions, academia, and public policy, her contribution will bring valuable perspective to this year’s Mediterranean dialogue on sustainability, resilience, and regional transformation.

📍 Piraeus, Greece
🗓 19 May 2026

We are honoured to feature a special video statement by Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, at...
13/05/2026

We are honoured to feature a special video statement by Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, at the 9th Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum.

As European Commissioner, Costas Kadis is leading efforts to advance a resilient, competitive, and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector, strengthen coastal communities, and reinforce Europe’s leadership on ocean governance and marine sustainability.

With a distinguished background spanning public service, environmental policy, and academia, his contribution brings important perspective to the Mediterranean dialogue at a critical moment for our shared seas and coastal future.

His message will highlight the importance of sustainable ocean governance, environmental resilience, and strengthened regional cooperation across the Mediterranean.

📍 Piraeus, Greece
🗓 19 May 2026

Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, French-Egyptian curator, cultural entrepreneur and founder of Art D’Égypte, will be joining the 9t...
12/05/2026

Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, French-Egyptian curator, cultural entrepreneur and founder of Art D’Égypte, will be joining the 9th Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum as a keynote speaker.

She is internationally recognized for redefining the relationship between contemporary art and cultural heritage, curating landmark exhibitions across Egypt’s most iconic sites, including the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. Through Art D’Égypte, founded in 2016, she has launched major initiatives such as Forever Is Now, bringing contemporary art into dialogue with ancient history and positioning Egypt on the global cultural map.

Honoured by UNESCO and awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, she is a leading voice in cultural diplomacy and a strong advocate for empowering women in the arts. Her participation will highlight the role of culture in sustainable development and cross-Mediterranean cooperation.

📍 Piraeus, Greece
🗓 19 May 2026

Francisco Gaztelu Mezquiriz, Director of the North Africa Directorate within the Directorate-General for the Middle East...
08/05/2026

Francisco Gaztelu Mezquiriz, Director of the North Africa Directorate within the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf (DG MENA), will be joining the 9th Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum as a keynote speaker.

Francisco Gaztelu Mezquiriz previously served as Director of the Southern Neighbourhood and Türkiye Directorate in the former Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), following his role as Head of the Migration Unit within the same Directorate-General. His extensive experience within the European Commission includes serving as Head of the Irregular Migration and Return Policy Unit at DG Migration and Home Affairs, Head of Unit for the Multi-Annual Financial Framework, Budget, and Agencies, as well as Assistant to the Director-General for Asia Pacific. He has also held positions as Deputy Head of Unit for the Middle East and Deputy Head of Cabinet to the Vice-President for the Internal Market, Defence, and Space. Mr. Gaztelu has an academic background in engineering and microeconomics.

His broad expertise in migration policy, neighbourhood relations, and EU governance will bring valuable institutional insight to this year’s discussions on Mediterranean cooperation and regional transformation.

📍 Piraeus, Greece
🗓 19 May 2026

We are honoured to welcome Ambassador Hesham Youssef as a keynote speaker at the 9th Edition of Circle the Med – The Med...
07/05/2026

We are honoured to welcome Ambassador Hesham Youssef as a keynote speaker at the 9th Edition of Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum.

He joined the European Institute of Peace (EIP) in 2024, following a distinguished diplomatic career with Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and his tenure as Senior Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace (2019–2024), where he focused on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and broader Middle Eastern dynamics. From 2014 to 2019, he served as Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural, and Social Affairs at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, after more than a decade in senior roles at the Arab League, including Official Spokesman and Chief of Staff to the Secretary-General.

With decades of experience in conflict resolution, Ambassador Youssef has played a key role in addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges, including the Arab–Israeli conflict, Iraqi reconciliation, and developments in Sudan. His work also spans humanitarian issues across the Islamic world, with a focus on regions such as Somalia, the Palestinian Territories, Chad, Niger, and Myanmar.

Joining Egypt’s diplomatic service in 1985, he served in postings in Canada and Geneva, and held key roles within the Cabinet of the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs. Alongside his diplomatic career, he has contributed to academia, teaching at institutions including Cairo University, the American University in Cairo, and Lehigh University.

📍 Piraeus, Greece
🗓 19 May 2026

Marija Pujo Tadić, Special Advisor/Envoy for Climate Action of the Republic of Croatia and President of the Internationa...
06/05/2026

Marija Pujo Tadić, Special Advisor/Envoy for Climate Action of the Republic of Croatia and President of the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA), will be joining the 9th Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum as a keynote speaker.

With over 30 years of experience in the legal field, she has dedicated her career to environmental protection, first as a Judge and later as an Attorney at Law specializing in Environmental Law. A Climate Leader mentored by Mr. Al Gore and a member of the Scientific Council of the COP29 Presidency, Ms. Pujo Tadić has represented Croatia at numerous COP conferences and played a key role in coordinating the Croatian Climate Team during the Croatian Presidency of the EU Council. As the founder of IICA, she continues to advance climate diplomacy, ESG awareness, and international cooperation in climate change law and policy.

Her extensive experience and leadership in global climate governance will bring valuable insight to this year’s discussions on sustainable and inclusive Mediterranean transformation.

📍 Piraeus, Greece
🗓 19 May 2026

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