‘Sardinia should strengthen its role as a hub for the Mediterranean’

Innovation and cohesion, development and peace. And then there are businesses and institutions. The challenge facing the countries of the Mediterranean lies in pursuing this path, focusing on the links between Sardinia, Spain, France and North Africa. All this forms part of a path towards growth, the contours of which were highlighted during the MedaCity Forum 2026, organised in Cagliari by the Cagliari Chamber of Commerce-Oristano with the support of Ascame and Unioncamere.

“The Mediterranean is not merely a geographical area, but a political, economic and cultural space that must once again take centre stage in Europe’s strategies for development, cooperation and stability,” stressed Maurizio De Pascale, president of the Cagliari and Oristano Chamber of Commerce, “especially at this time of great instability and profound change”. Then there is the issue of rising inflation, as noted by Andrea Prete, which has led to calls for “a return to a more stable climate, precisely thanks to forums such as this”. No less important is the need for a Mediterranean Pact to support businesses, as emphasised during the meeting of the executive committee of Ascame, aimed at revitalising the association and strengthening economic cooperation in the Mediterranean, with a focus on consolidating relations with European institutions. The programme also includes a series of meetings and initiatives involving businesses operating on the various shores of the Mediterranean.

“Cooperation cannot be limited to relations between governments and institutions,” said Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Regional and Cohesion Policy, Regional Development, Cities and Reforms, in a video message. “It must also develop between regions, cities, businesses, universities and communities. These are the actors capable of transforming political cooperation into concrete projects, investments, jobs and opportunities. And this territorial dimension is particularly important for Europe.”

And then there are the resources. “For the period 2021–2027, the European Union is investing 2 billion euros in 17 Interreg cooperation programmes in the Mediterranean region,” he added. “These programmes bring together SMEs, universities, researchers, public authorities and civil society from different countries to tackle common challenges and seize shared opportunities.” As for the Pact for the Mediterranean, the aim “is to build a partnership capable of connecting our economies, strengthening skills and innovation, supporting investment and creating new opportunities on both sides of the Mediterranean”.

According to Emanuele Cani, Regional Councillor for Industry, ‘Sardinia must strengthen its role as a natural hub in the Mediterranean, increasingly becoming a gateway to Europe and a link between our continent and the countries bordering the Mare Nostrum’.