MEFED24: Strengthening Regional Energy Cooperation Between MENA and Europe

The MENA-Europe Future Energy Dialogue (MEFED) has become a vital platform for fostering regional energy cooperation, and MEFED24 conference on 8 September 2024, in Thessaloniki, Greece, took this collaboration to new heights. Building on the success of the inaugural MEFED event in June 2022, held at the Dead Sea in Jordan, MEFED24 focused on advancing cross-regional energy infrastructure, particularly green electricity, hydrogen, and its derivatives. The event brought together top-level representatives from the public and private sectors, infrastructure operators, and financial institutions, creating an invaluable opportunity for the energy partnership to participate in discussions on the development of energy infrastructure linking the MENA region with Europe.

Opening Address and Panel Discussion by H.E. Dr. Robert Habeck at MEFED24

H.E. Dr. Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany, set the tone for MEFED24 with a compelling opening address that underscored the importance of cross-regional energy cooperation. Emphasizing the shared challenges and opportunities between Europe and the MENA region, he highlighted the urgency of developing infrastructure to support the transition to sustainable energy systems.

High-Level Panel Discussion: The Mutual Benefits of Energy Collaboration

One of the key highlights of MEFED24 was the high-level panel discussion moderated by Melinda Crane, which examined the future of energy relationships between Europe and the MENA region. The panel explored how these two regions can collaborate to achieve mutual benefits, with a focus on renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Panelists included H.E. Stefan Wenzel (Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Germany) and H.E. Yossi Dayan (Director General, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Israel).

The discussion centered on how Europe’s energy security and MENA’s renewable energy resources can be harnessed in a mutually beneficial way. The panelists offered insights into how both regions can leverage their strengths to meet global energy goals, particularly in the context of decarbonization, and the role that green electricity and hydrogen will play in this transition.

German-Israeli Bilateral

Following this insightful panel, H.E. Stefan Wenzel (Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Germany) and H.E. Yossi Dayan (Director General, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Israel) met for a bilateral meeting during which they discussed current affairs in the region, the activities of the German-Israeli Energy Partnership and strategic joint cooperations possibilities.

Why MEFED24 Matters

As the world grapples with the dual challenges of energy security and climate change, MEFED24 stands as a critical forum for action. The partnership between Europe and the MENA region not only has the potential to reshape global energy markets but also to serve as a model for sustainable and equitable development.

With energy cooperation at its core, MEFED24 aimed to turn discussions into actionable outcomes, paving the way for an interconnected energy future where Europe and MENA work hand-in-hand to achieve their energy and climate goals.