Facing the Climate Emergency: Tunis to Become a Mediterranean Hub for Sustainable Development
In the face of the climate emergency, which is reshaping global economic balances, Tunis is preparing to become, on December 18 and 19, 2025, the Mediterranean crossroads where new trajectories for sustainable development are being outlined. The Tunisian capital will host a major international conference dedicated to sustainable entrepreneurship in the Southern Mediterranean, a strategic meeting that will bring together public decision-makers, experts, entrepreneurs, and business support organizations (BSOs) from eight countries in the region. The event is co-organized by MedWaves (Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production of the UNEP/MAP) and CITET (International Centre for Environmental Technologies of Tunis), within the framework of the program to support sustainable enterprises, financed by UNEP/MAP and the Government of Catalonia, and the Green Forward program, financed by the European Union and implemented at the meso level by the international non-governmental organization SPARK in seven countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
A Shared Context, a Common Ambition
In a Mediterranean space facing climate, social, and economic challenges, the transition to a green economy is becoming an imperative. BSOs, key structures in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, are now at the heart of solutions: supporting business creators, disseminating circular models, strengthening skills, accessing innovation and financing. Since 2014, MedWaves has been accelerating this dynamic with the Switchers Support Programme, active in several Mediterranean countries to promote the emergence of responsible businesses. In Tunisia, CITET, through Green Forward, animates and structures the local ecosystem of green innovation, while SPARK works to strengthen the capacities of regional actors. By bringing together representatives from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan, the conference aims to play a catalyzing role. The central objective is to equip BSOs more effectively so that they can support the growth of green, innovative, and competitive businesses.
Expectations and Objectives
The program's expectations are centered around a clear ambition: to outline a common regional vision for sustainable entrepreneurship while strengthening the capacity of actors to implement it. This involves encouraging in-depth sharing of experiences and proven solutions, particularly in the areas of circular economy and public policies, to enrich support practices. The program also aims to consolidate the skills and tools of BSOs to improve support for entrepreneurs in the region. At the heart of this approach, the presentation of a Regional Cooperation Manifesto should lay the foundations for sustainable collaboration, while a regional publication dedicated to green economy support mechanisms will contribute to strengthening the visibility and understanding of ongoing initiatives.
Two Days of Reflection and Action
The first day will address major regional issues: public policies, entrepreneurial dynamics, best practices in business support, access to financing, and the role of women in the green economy. It will also be marked by the official presentation of the Regional Cooperation Manifesto. The second day will feature a masterclass on access to climate finance, followed by thematic workshops, including green taxonomy, ESG criteria integration, and best practices from the Green Forward program. A plenary synthesis session will conclude the work. With this conference, MedWaves, CITET, and SPARK aim to consolidate the links between Mediterranean actors and trigger a common dynamic in favor of a greener, more innovative, and more resilient future. A meeting that presents itself as a new stage in the consolidation of South-Mediterranean cooperation. According to the press release.
