MEFED24: High-level MOR participation

Building on the success of the first MENA Europe Future Energy Dialogue (MEFED) in Jordan in 2022, MEFED 2024 took place on September 8, 2024 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The second edition was hosted by Theodoros Skylakakis, Greek Minister of Environment and Energy, and Dr. Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economy and Climate Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany. The event brought together decision-makers from the MENA region and Europe with the aim of accelerating energy infrastructure between the two regions and achieving a global energy transition. A high-level MAR delegation consisting of Tarik Hamane (CEO, ONEE), accompanied by Khalil Lagtari (Head of Partnerships Department, ONEE), Abdellatif Bardach (CEO, ANRE), accompanied by Yahya Mrabti (Head of Electrical Networks Department, ANRE) and Samir Rachidi (CEO, IRESEN), participated in a meeting with State Secretary Stefan Wenzel (BMWK). In addition, Tarik Hamane and Samir Rachidi contributed the MENA perspectives to the dialog as panelists in the content sessions on electrical interconnectors (“EU-MENA Electricity Interconnectors: Where do we stand?”) and hydrogen trade (“Hydrogen Trade and Infrastructure: Accelerating exchange”).
The importance of increased cooperation between MENA and Europe was underlined by the Thessaloniki Declaration. In order to ensure a sustainable and affordable energy supply, the energy policy dialog is to be intensified and energy networking expanded. In addition, robust hydrogen value chains are to be established in order to promote trade and energy security in both regions. Public and private financing is to be coordinated to ensure the expansion of the energy infrastructure.