Das 3. Mittelmeerforum

H.E. Christian Wulff
Honorary President of the EMA, Former President of the Federal Republic of Germany

As former Federal President of Germany (2010-2012), H.E. Christian Wulff is dedicated to the cause of the integration of people with a migration background and with interreligious dialog. Aside from being the Honorary President of the Euro-Mediterranean-Arab Association EMA, he is the chairman of the Foundation Board of Germany’s Integration Foundation and global chairman of GASME (Global Alliance of small and midsize enterprises). He regularly represents Germany at the international level, for example, during the German-Qatari Cultural Season and the conference “Tunisia 2020”.

From 1998 to 2010, H.E. Christian Wulff was deputy chairman of the German Christian Democratic Union CDU, from 2000 to 2010 deputy to the chairwoman Angela Merkel. From 2003 to 2010, he was Prime Minister of Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony). Prior to that he headed the CDU parliamentary group in Niedersachsen’s state parliament. H.E. Christian Wulff works as a lawyer at Wulff & Coll. in Hamburg.

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HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal
Honorary President of the EMA, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Born on March 20, 1947 in Amman, HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal is a member of the Jordanian royal family, brother of former King Hussein I, and uncle of current King Abdullah II. He served as Jordan’s Crown Prince from 1965 to 1999.

A prolific author, he is renowned for championing interreligious dialogue, youth engagement, and global peace. From 1999 to 2006, he led the World Conference of Religions for Peace, and from 2000 to 2006, he headed the Club of Rome. His Royal Highness founded significant Arab organizations, including the Arab Youth Forum and the El Hassan Youth Award, and played a crucial role in UNESCO’s interreligious advisory committee. His exceptional commitment has earned him numerous accolades, including the Berlin Peace Watch Prize, the Augsburg Peace Prize, and the Niwano Peace Award.

His Royal Highness’s enduring dedication extends to his role as Honorary President of the Euro-Mediterranean-Arab Association since 2012, where he continues to promote natural resource conservation, international cooperation, and understanding.

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Heike Fölster
President, EMA & CFO, DB Station & Service AG

Heike Fölster is a powerhouse in the German logistics sector, having held CFO positions at Hamburg Airport, Germanischer Lloyd, BER Airport, and currently DB Station & Service AG. Her financial prowess has secured funding and ensured profitability for these industry giants. Heike Fölster is renowned for her extensive women’s network, strong political and business connections in Berlin and Hamburg, and active role in Rotary. With a robust banking network, she has been a driving force in the industry. Heike Fölster’s vision focuses on heightened visibility and expanding the Ouissal program, aligning with her goal to make a lasting impact. Her leadership as President of the EMA since 2021 further underscores her interest in cooperation across Germany, Europe, and the Mediterranean and Middle East region.

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H.E. Dr. Abdelkader El Khissassi
Deputy Secretary General for Economic Development & Employment, UfM

H.E. Dr. Abdelkader El Khissassi is a Moroccan diplomat, who was seconded to the UfM Secretariat in Barcelona as senior advisor, responsible for the youth and civil protection dossiers in the Social and Civil Affairs Division. Prior to his secondment to the UfM Secretariat, he worked as a diplomatic advisor in charge of the political communication and civil society dossiers at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco to Côte d’Ivoire and as a diplomatic advisor in charge of the political, economic, communication, civil society, and protocol dossiers at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco to Burkina Faso.

Besides serving abroad, he held the position of political advisor in charge of relations with the European institutions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat.

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H.E. Nizar Yaïche
Former Minister of Finance, Tunisia & Partner and Global Leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

H.E. Nizar Yaïche, born in 1974, is a Tunisian politician and senior civil servant, who held the position of Minister of Finance in 2020. Mr. Yaïche is an economic engineer graduated from Ecole Central Paris after High Mathematical studies and also from Harvard Business School. His diverse journey includes key roles at Capgemini, Booz Allen Hamilton, and various leadership positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). He has been instrumental in fostering digital transformation, modernizing public policies and entities, and driving strategic initiatives across Europe, the Arab world, and Africa.

H.E. Nizar Yaïche’s contributions extend to his pivotal role as Minister of Finance under Elyes Fakhfakh’s government, implementing economic, financial and digital measures to combat Covid-19’s impact on citizens and companies. His exemplary cooperation earned acclaim from several political parties, including from the opposition and from the International Monetary Fund. Notably, he presented President Kaïs Saïed with a comprehensive plan encompassing 750 measures across economic, social, monetary, financial, institutional and public service domains.

Returning to PwC in 2021, Nizar Yaïche joined their global leadership team working on governments and public services, as the global digital leader, and assumed a partner position overseeing strategic aspects and international cooperation. As a member of PwC’s Leadership Team, he now advises governments worldwide on new policies, technology, digital transformation, and strategy implementation, solidifying his reputation as a dedicated leader driving impactful change.

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Laila Berchane
Co-founder and Partnerships Director at Robots & More, Morocco

Laila is an accomplished entrepreneur, STEM advocate, and change-maker. As the co-founder of Robots & More, Laila has spearheaded innovative STEM education initiatives, raising awareness through play among young learners. Her startup has garnered multiple awards. She is also a proud alumna of the German-Arab Mentoring Program Ouissal and the US Department of State’s IVLP program “Advancing Women in STEM”

Through her NGO LOOP For Science & Technology, she has brought some of the best-known STEM programs for schools and young learners, such as FIRST LEGO League and World Robot Olympiad, to Morocco and other French-speaking African countries. She has also established robotics clubs in underserved populations in public schools and rural areas, empowering young learners with the tools and skills they need to succeed. She also serves as a judge and referee in international robotics competitions, using her expertise to inspire and motivate young learners around the globe.

Prior to her entrepreneurship career, Laila served for 6 years as a management control manager in multicultural contexts, where she evaluated investment projects across multiple fields, including mining, insurance, education, health, and real estate

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Dr. Karamba Diaby
Member of Parliament, Germany

Dr Karamba Diaby, born in 1961 in Marsassoum, Senegal, was the first African-born black person to be elected to the German Bundestag in 2013. He was also a city councillor in Halle an der Saale from 2009 to 2015 and worked as an advisor in the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt from 2011 to 2013. In his mid-20s, he came to East Germany thanks to a scholarship, studied chemistry at Martin Luther University in Halle-Wittenberg, and earned a doctorate in geoecology there. He then worked in various non-profit organisations in the fields of education, youth policy, diversity, and human rights.

In the German Bundestag, Dr. Diaby was deputy chair of the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid and a member of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment during the 18^th legislative term. The 61-year-old politician moved back into the German Bundestag in 2017 and was a member of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment, the Subcommittee on Civic Engagement, and continued to be a member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Agency for Civic Education. From 2018 to 2021, he was also his parliamentary group’s integration commissioner and a member of the parliamentary group’s executive committee. Dr. Diaby stood as the top candidate for the SPD in Saxony-Anhalt in the 2021 federal election and won the Halle constituency directly. He is again a member of the parliamentary party executive of the SPD parliamentary group. He is also a full member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Subcommittee on Global Health.

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Saïda Neghza
CEO, Groupe Soralcof & Chairwoman, Confédération Générale des Entreprises Algériennes (CGEA), Algeria

Saïda Neghza, a leading figure in Algerian and international economics, commands a remarkable presence across regional and global spheres. As the CEO of Soralcof Algeria and President of the General Confederation of Algerian Enterprises (CGEA), her influence has transcended borders, propelling collaboration in the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Arab world. Ms. Neghza’s leadership within Businessmed, uniting nineteen employers’ confederations, and her pivotal role in Business Africa underscore her commitment to fostering cross-national partnerships and economic growth.

Within Algeria, Ms. Neghza champions economic diversification in line with the New Algeria reform agenda. As head of CGEA, she bridges the gap between entrepreneurs and public authorities, encouraging investment diversification, nurturing start-ups, and advocating for a thriving business environment. Her role extends internationally, where she engages in strategic economic diplomacy to enhance Algeria’s global standing. Through numerous partnership agreements, Saïda Neghza’s dedication resonates, solidifying her position as a trailblazer in sustainable development, economic resilience, and regional collaboration.

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Niels Annen
Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany

Niels Annen is Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. Prior to this, he served as Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office (2018-2021), spokesperson on foreign affairs of the SPD Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag (2014-2018), and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (2013-2018).

Mr. Annen was first elected to the Bundestag in 2005, and was a member until 2009, before being re-elected in 2013. He was a permanent member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and a substitute member of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy. Mr. Annen also served as deputy spokesperson of the Parliamentary Left, the largest political grouping within the SPD Parliamentary Group, and acted as the chairperson of the SPD’s Commission for International Politics.

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Julia Braune
Managing Director, Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), Germany

Julia Braune has served as the Chairwoman and CEO of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) since February 2023. Previously, from October 2017 to January 2023, she held the position of Managing Director at German Water Partnership, facilitating the expansion of the German water industry into international markets. Prior to this, she managed companies affiliated with the REMONDIS Aqua Group.

Between 2009 and 2012, Julia Braune led corporate development at EURAWASSER Group, driving strategic growth initiatives and collaborating on diverse projects with municipal and industrial partners. From 2003 to 2008, she held roles in material flow and project management at ALBA Group, a conglomerate focusing on the circular economy.

She pursued her legal education at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelm-Universität Bonn (University of Bonn), completed her legal internship at the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf, and earned her second German state law examination. Her multifaceted career reflects a dedication to strategic leadership and collaboration within various industries.

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Wajdi Darmoul
Managing Director, Elco Solutions GmbH, Germany

Wajdi Darmoul gained his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and started his career at Texas Instruments company as a software developer.

He held several technical and management positions at well-known high-tech companies, including ATMEL and Texas Instruments, and was responsible for business development in Central Europe as a group leader at a global semiconductor company until the founding of Elco Solutions. In 2016, Wajdi Darmoul and his business partner founded Elco Solutions, a technology company with offices in Germany, Tunisia, and the United States.

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Asma Gatri,
Founder & CEO, African Environment Consulting (AEC), Tunisia

Asma Gatri is a pioneering entrepreneur and the founder of African Environment Consulting (A.E.C), a consultancy firm dedicated to guiding clients in achieving and maintaining environmental compliance for successful project outcomes. With an impressive portfolio of internationally funded initiatives, including support from USAID and ONUDI, Asma Gatri’s influence extends across Africa, particularly in Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Senegal.

Under her leadership, A.E.C specializes in diverse areas, offering comprehensive environmental studies such as impact assessments and pollution analyses, risk evaluations for classified establishments, and assistance in securing government grants. Asma Gatri’s commitment goes beyond consultancy as she actively supports and networks with eco-conscious entrepreneurs, fostering their businesses for sustainable growth. Through strategic partnerships with independent certification bodies, Asma ensures that her clients receive essential certification and training services, reinforcing their confidence and minimizing risks. Her dedication to creating a greener, safer, and more compliant business landscape establishes Asma Gatri as a driving force in sustainable development.

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 H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al -Mashat
Minister of International Cooperation, Arab Republic of Egypt

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al -Mashat has been Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation since December 2019, previously serving as the country’s first female Minister of Tourism. With a background as Advisor to the Chief Economist of the IMF in Washington, DC, she specializes in central banking and monetary policy frameworks. Her extensive experience includes roles such as Sub-Governor for Monetary Policy at the Central Bank of Egypt, Senior Economist at the IMF, and leadership positions on boards like the Egyptian Stock Exchange.

Representing Egypt in global financial institutions, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat is Co-Chair of the MENA Stewardship Board at the World Economic Forum and a Member of the New Economy and Society Stewardship Board. She holds a PhD and MA in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park, USA, complemented by executive education from Harvard University and Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. Her achievements have garnered recognition, including the “2019 Global Champion Award” from the World Tourism and Travel Council and selection as a Young Global Leader by WEF in 2014.

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Moderation
Clara Gruitrooy
Secretary General, EMA

Clara Gruitrooy has been the Secretary General of the EMA since 2017 and has played a crucial role in building and shaping the organization since 2009. After studying International and European Law in Paris, she completed a Master of Arts in Intercultural Conflict Management and received a Postgraduate Diploma in Executive Management at the European School of Management and Technology ESMT. She also has training in Non-Profit Organization Management from the Akademie für Freiwilligendienste Deutschland AfED e.V. and is a certified Leadership Coach.

Besides her main role of leading the EMA, Clara Gruitrooy volunteers in various associations and initiatives. As the 1^st Chair of Working Moms e.V. in Berlin, she advocates for equality policy goals and the compatibility of career and family in the Berlin Declaration. In addition, she is, among others, on the honorary board of the BVMW’s Mittelstandsallianz Afrika, chairwoman of Féminin Pluriel Berlin e.V., and on the advisory board of the JARO Institut für Nachhaltigkeit und Digitalisierung e.V. She also holds the position of Chairwoman at the Federation of Working Moms e.V., concurrent with her role as the President in Berlin. Moreover, Clara Gruitrooy is part of the core group of the Berlin Declaration, an assembly comprising over 20 women’s associations in Germany that is actively engaged in shaping the federal policies for reaching gender equality.

Clara Gruitrooy has received several awards for her commitment. She was nominated for the Emotion Award “Women for the Future” and selected as the German nominee for the Global Peace Institute Awards “40 Under 40 Peace Champions” by the London Global Peace Institute. The German-Arab mentoring program “Ouissal”, which she established, received the award of the initiative “Land of Ideas”.

Eine neue Ära der Zusammenarbeit

“Wir brauchen eine neue Ära der Zusammenarbeit.” Tunesiens ehemaliger Finanzminister S.E. Nizar Yaiche, heute Global Leader bei Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), war nur einer der hochkarätigen Redner auf dem 3. Mittelmeergipfel der EMA im September in Berlin. Yaiche hob den Facettenreichtum dieser Zusammenarbeit hervor, der geopolitische, historische und kulturelle Aspekte umfasst. Er plädierte eloquent für den Abbau finanzieller Barrieren und den Aufbau starker Allianzen auf der Grundlage gemeinsamer Werte. Darüber hinaus betonte er die Dringlichkeit, den Klimawandel durch einen einheitlichen, kollektiven Ansatz anzugehen. In seiner eindrucksvollen Rede beleuchtete er die komplexe Dynamik der europäisch-mediterranen und arabischen Zusammenarbeit und rief zur Zusammenarbeit und Einigkeit bei der Bewältigung der aktuellen Herausforderungen auf.

Den Auftakt des Gipfels bildeten bereits drei Grußworte von EMA-Präsidentin Heike Fölster und den beiden Ehrenpräsidenten der EMA, S.K.H. Prinz El Hassan bin Talal von Jordanien und Christian Wulff, Bundespräsident a.D. Christian Wulff, die Video-Statements für das hochrangige Publikum aufgezeichnet hatten. Herr Wulff unterstrich die Bedeutung der kulturellen und wirtschaftlichen Zusammenarbeit durch konkrete Projekte, wie sie von der EMA initiiert werden. In ähnlicher Weise hob seine Königliche Hoheit Prinz El Hassan bin Talal die Rolle des preisgekrönten deutsch-arabischen Mentoring-Programms Ouissal für das Empowerment von Frauen hervor. Er plädierte auch dafür, dass die Wissenschaft der Diplomatie dient, und sprach die Herausforderungen der Bewirtschaftung von Wasserressourcen und der Migration an.

Die Gründe für die Zusammenarbeit

In einer spannenden und aufschlussreichen Podiumsdiskussion eröffnete Parlamentsabgeordneter Dr. Karamba Diaby das Gespräch, indem er sich mit den vielschichtigen Herausforderungen befasste, die die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Europa und dem Mittelmeerraum beeinflussen. Er sprach von der dringenden Notwendigkeit, institutionelle Barrieren abzubauen, die den Fortschritt behindern können, und unterstrich die Bedeutung von Anpassungsstrategien bei der Bewältigung dieser Herausforderungen. Saïda Neghza, CEO der Groupe Soralcof und Vorsitzende der Confédération Générale des Entreprises Algériennes (CGEA), sorgte für Optimismus, indem sie die vielversprechenden Investitionsaussichten beleuchtete, die auf die Exploration in Algerien und auf dem ausgedehnten afrikanischen Kontinent warten. Ihre leidenschaftliche Diskussion drehte sich um die reichlich vorhandenen Ressourcen und aufkeimenden Infrastrukturprojekte, die Investoren anlocken und das Potenzial Afrikas unterstreichen, sich zu einem florierenden Wirtschaftszentrum zu entwickeln. Laila Berchane, Mitbegründerin und Partnerships Director von Robots & More, verlieh dem Diskurs eine persönliche Note, die auf ihre eigene transformative Reise als Begünstigte des Ouissal-Programms zurückgreift. Eloquent betonte sie die zentrale Rolle von Innovation und Digitalisierung bei der Gestaltung der Zukunft, insbesondere im Bildungsbereich.

Fünfzehn Jahre Fortschritt auf dem Weg in die Zukunft

Heike Fölster feierte die Entwicklung des Mittelmeerraums und das 15-jährige Bestehen der EMA und bedankte sich bei den Gründern und Teilnehmern von Projekten wie Ouissal. Sie erkannte das enorme Potenzial der Region an. S.E. Dr. Abdelkader El Khissassi, stellvertretender Generalsekretär für wirtschaftliche Entwicklung und Beschäftigung der Union für den Mittelmeerraum (UfM), äußerte sich optimistisch über die Fortsetzung der Zusammenarbeit trotz der anhaltenden Herausforderungen, mit denen der Mittelmeerraum konfrontiert ist. Diese geschätzten Staats- und Regierungschefs setzten sich gemeinsam für die Sache der Europa-Mittelmeer-Partnerschaft ein und förderten Dialog, Zusammenarbeit und nachhaltige Entwicklung.

Weichenstellung für kollektiven Klimaschutz

Niels Annen, Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär beim Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung, betonte in einer Anregung die Bedeutung des Treffens als Schlüsselmoment. Er betonte die Notwendigkeit einer kollektiven Zusammenarbeit angesichts der wachsenden Herausforderungen des Klimawandels. Ministerin Annen hob die laufenden Partnerschaften mit Ländern wie Spanien und den Start einer EU-finanzierten Initiative hervor, um privates Kapital zur Unterstützung lokaler Unternehmer und zur Verbesserung des Lebensstandards zu kanalisieren. Er unterstrich die Dringlichkeit, die Klimakrise und ihre Auswirkungen auf die deutsche Wirtschaft anzugehen und grünen Wasserstoff und erneuerbare Energien als Wege zu hochwertigen Beschäftigungsmöglichkeiten zu fördern. Annen sah ein enormes Potenzial in der wirtschaftlichen Zusammenarbeit und dem Erhalt der Umwelt auf internationaler Ebene. Er erkannte zwar den Mittelmeerraum an, drängte aber darauf, ihn nicht nur geografisch, sondern auch als integrierte Region zu betrachten, und plädierte dafür, regionale Entscheidungen an Orten wie Tripolis und Tunis zu treffen. In dieser umfassenden Vision wurde die Zusammenarbeit als Schlüssel zur Bewältigung drängender Herausforderungen und zur Erreichung gemeinsamen Wohlstands im Europa-Mittelmeer-Kontext hervorgehoben.

In der zweiten Podiumsdiskussion gab Julia Braune, Geschäftsführerin von Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), wertvolle Einblicke in die Komplexität deutscher Investitionen. Sie vertiefte sich in das Wesen der deutschen Investmentpraxis im Kontext der “New Era of Collaboration”. Sie hob insbesondere die Bedeutung der Dekarbonisierung und des Klimaschutzes hervor, bei denen Investitionen mit Klimastrategien in Einklang gebracht werden, um einzigartige Chancen aufzudecken. Braune sprach auch über das 2019 geschaffene “Africa Business Network” als florierendes Ökosystem für den Austausch von Best Practices für Partner. Sie betonte die entscheidende Rolle von Branchenexperten, wobei sie sich auf die Bedeutung des deutschen Wassersektors und der deutschen Wasserpartnerschaft konzentrierte und die Komplexität der deutschen Investitionsbemühungen unterstrich.

Während des Summits präsentierte Wajda Darmoul, Geschäftsführer der Elco Solutions GmbH in Deutschland und gelernter Ingenieur, seinen innovativen Ansatz zur Bewältigung aktueller Herausforderungen. Er betonte die Bedeutung von Remote-Arbeit, die Beiträge von überall aus ermöglicht und geografische Grenzen überwindet. Darmoul erkannte die wachsende Datenerzeugung durch die Digitalisierung und den damit einhergehenden steigenden Energiebedarf. Um dieses Problem anzugehen, schlug er modernste Softwarelösungen für robuste Kommunikationssysteme vor, die die Effizienz steigern und den CO2-Fußabdruck reduzieren. Er stellt sich eine Zukunft vor, die von kollaborativen Unternehmungen geprägt ist, da Einzelpersonen und Organisationen Partnerschaften suchen, die mit ihren Werten für eine bessere und nachhaltigere Zukunft übereinstimmen.

Förderung des technologischen Fortschritts und des Unternehmertums

Seine Exzellenz Dr. Abdelkader El Khissassi betonte, wie wichtig es ist, sich mit der Jugendbeschäftigung und der Gleichstellung der Geschlechter zu befassen. Er erkannte die tiefgreifenden Auswirkungen des technologischen Fortschritts an, insbesondere den Einfluss von Technologien wie ChatGPT auf die Bildung. Dr. El Khissassi betonte, dass wir uns der technologischen Entwicklung zwar nicht entziehen können, aber unbedingt erkennen müssen, dass viele Arbeitsplätze in den kommenden Jahren aufgrund dieser Fortschritte gefährdet sein werden. Er betonte daher die Notwendigkeit vorausschauender Strategien, die die Arbeitsplätze der Zukunft berücksichtigen und die Anpassungsfähigkeit der Belegschaft fördern.

Asma Gatri, Gründerin und CEO von African Environments Consulting (AEC) in Tunesien, erzählte in der Podiumsdiskussion von ihrer inspirierenden Reise. Sie erzählte von ihren Erfahrungen als Mentee im Ouissal-Programm vor fünf Jahren, die ihre Karriere veränderten. Asma gründete ihr eigenes Unternehmen, African Environments Consulting, um Unternehmertum und Erwachsenenbildung zu fördern. Sie beschrieb ihre Rolle als Brücke zwischen Deutschland und Afrika, dank des Ouissal-Projekts, und bekräftigte stolz: “Afrika, wir können arbeiten.” Asmas Unternehmergeist führte dazu, dass sie ein zweites Unternehmen gründete, das sich auf ätherische Öle, insbesondere Rosmarinöl, spezialisierte. Sie weitete ihre Bemühungen aus, diese Öle in Afrika zu verkaufen, und widmet sich der Zusammenarbeit mit Frauen im ländlichen Afrika. Ihr Ziel ist es, ihre Produkte zu kaufen, sie in Tunesien und Nordafrika zu vertreiben und ihr Wissen und ihre Projekte zu teilen, um ihre Partner zu stärken.