MedCities was invited to participate in a high-level hearing at the European Parliament in Brussels on the upcoming Action Plan for the  Pact for the Mediterranean, a key framework shaping the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations. Convened by rapporteur Nicola Zingaretti, responsible for the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET), the hearing gathered around 50 selected stakeholders, including representatives from EU institutions, regional organisations, and territorial actors. The event was not open to the public, reflecting the targeted nature of the consultation process.

The session featured opening contributions from the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA) and the Union for the Mediterranean, alongside inputs from organisations such as ARLEM, CPRM, CIDOB and the Government of Catalonia. Discussions focused on key questions regarding governance, co-ownership, mobility, financial instruments, sectoral agendas on energy and water, and the role of local and regional actors in the Pact.

During the hearing, MedCities presented its perspective as a network of Mediterranean local authorities working closely with municipalities from both the northern and southern shores. The association reaffirmed its readiness to contribute to the governance of the Pact and to continue advocating for a stronger recognition of local authorities in international policymaking. MedCities also highlighted its contribution to the consultations on the Pact, including the ARLEM report and EuroMesCo consultations, as well as its involvement in the Mediterranean Cooperation Alliance and the organization, together with the Barcelona City Council and the IEMed, of the Conference of Mediterranean Cities Barcelona+30, held in November 2025 and addressing this very issue.

Carolina Pérez, Head of Policy and Knowledge Sharing at MedCities, emphasised the critical role of local authorities in the current context of multiple crises. She noted that municipalities are at the forefront of responding to the impacts of military conflicts—managing emergency services, supporting displaced populations, and maintaining essential services—while also addressing environmental risks. These challenges are often compounded by weak central governments or, conversely, increasing centralisation processes, making the role of local authorities even more essential.

In addressing the core themes of the hearing, MedCities stressed that cities and metropolitan areas must be central to building resilience and advancing just transitions across the region. Local and regional authorities are key drivers of decentralised cooperation, territorial diplomacy, and sustainable development, ensuring that policies reflect the real needs of communities. The organisation also underlined the importance of revitalising city-to-city technical cooperation through dedicated financial instruments, which are currently lacking but remain crucial for effective implementation.

Regarding governance, MedCities called for a truly multilevel and multilateral approach that actively engages local actors and their networks throughout the entire policy cycle. Existing platforms, such as the Mediterranean Cooperation Alliance, should be leveraged to ensure meaningful participation and impact. The association also echoed calls for the development of a Mediterranean macro-regional strategy to better integrate policies, actors, and actions across the region.

Context:

Thirty years after the Barcelona Process, the Mediterranean faces significant challenges, from climate change and geopolitical tensions to inequality and demographic imbalances. The forthcoming European Parliament report aims to provide a renewed, forward-looking framework for cooperation through the Pact for the Mediterranean, placing co-ownership, people-to-people engagement, and democratic governance at its core. MedCities and its members stand ready to contribute to the next steps of this process.