Mediterranean Forum Concludes
Aitor Moll Concludes III Mediterranean Forum Addressing Geopolitical and Social Challenges
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Barcelona closed the III Mediterranean Forum on June 18 after three days of geopolitical and social debate, with Aitor Moll, CEO of Prensa Ibérica, delivering the final address. Moll declared that "Barcelona has shown that the Mediterranean is not a border, but a shared square," according to El Periódico Mediterráneo. The next edition will move to Palma de Mallorca in 2027.
The forum drew more than 1,200 delegates from 15 countries across 24 sessions, according to Levante-EMV. Topics ranged from Mediterranean rail infrastructure to migration and the region's so-called "demographic winter."
Three Days of Debate on the Mediterranean's Biggest Problems
The forum opened on June 16 at the Llotja de Mar in Barcelona. Day one focused on security and stability across the Mediterranean basin. Day two shifted to economics, with a major keynote on the Mediterranean Corridor — the EU's flagship rail project targeting full freight connectivity by 2030, according to Diario de Mallorca.
Day three tackled social integration and Southern Europe's shrinking population. Forum data showed that by 2050, the population of the southern Mediterranean shore will be double that of the northern shore. Experts warned that North Africa would need 300% more jobs to prevent large-scale migration flows, according to El Periódico de Extremadura.
A €12 Billion Rail Gap and €450 Million in New Business Deals
The forum spotlighted a €12 billion funding shortfall needed to meet the Mediterranean Corridor's 2030 "Full Connectivity" target for high-speed freight. The Barcelona Chamber of Commerce argued that logistical delays already cost the region 1.2% of potential GDP growth every year, according to Levante-EMV.
On a brighter note, business side-sessions in Barcelona are estimated to generate around €450 million in cross-border investments over the next 24 months. Green hydrogen infrastructure is the main target. The forum also produced a "Barcelona Declaration" — a non-binding agreement to be presented at the next European Council meeting, according to El Periódico Mediterráneo.
Critics Say Elite Forum Ignores Housing and Tourism Pressures
Not everyone celebrated the event. Local activist groups in Barcelona called it an "elite-driven summit" that ignored rising housing costs driven by mass tourism. Some conservative factions said the forum was "excessively institutional" and failed to address the real impact on residents being priced out of Mediterranean cities, according to Diario de Ibiza.
Geopolitical analyst Dr. Elena Sans noted that the forum successfully shifted debate toward "social resilience." But she added that the absence of senior North African officials showed that "diplomatic friction remains a hurdle for a truly unified Mediterranean bloc."
Palma de Mallorca Takes the Baton for 2027 Forum
The official handover to the Balearic delegation took place at 2:00 PM on June 18. Palma de Mallorca will host the IV Forum Mediterráneo in 2027. The move is seen as a push to center the debate on the "Blue Economy" — sustainable use of ocean resources — and the specific challenges faced by island communities, according to Diario de Mallorca.
Prensa Ibérica, which organizes the forum, has now hosted editions in Valencia (2024), Alicante (2025), and Barcelona (2026). Each city has raised the scale of the event. The 2027 edition will test whether the forum can pull in stronger participation from Italy, France, and the Maghreb, according to El Periódico de Extremadura.
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