In 2022 the World Bank launched a new series of events, called “Mediterranean Talks,” with a view of deepening the understanding of opportunities and risks that can stem from increased synergy within the Mediterranean. This series of events includes different experts coming together to debate solutions aimed at increasing economic integration and wellbeing in the Mediterranean. The events also rigorously include a moderated Q&A session, where the audience is able to interact with the speakers. After a successful event on Trade in Energy, the next Mediterranean Talk will take place on May 18, 2023, and will be centered around migration. Some of the key questions include: how can we create better systems for north-south economic migration? How can we improve our understanding of transit migration and support transient populations? How can the forcibly displaced as well as their hosting countries and communities be supported? We look forward to welcoming you and hope you join us on this important discussion.
Mediterranean Talks Event Series: High-Level Roundtable on Migration
Press play above to watch a replay of our May 18th livestream.
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Roberta GattiChief Economist of Middle East and North Africa, The World Bank
Roberta Gatti is currently the Chief Economist of the Middle East and North Africa region of the World Bank. In her previous capacity of Chief Economist for Human Development, Roberta co-led the conceptualization and release of the Human Capital Index and oversaw the Service Delivery Indicators data initiative. Roberta is the author of numerous flagship reports and her research, spanning topics in health, labor markets, and growth, is published in top field journals. Roberta holds a B.A. from Università Bocconi and a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University. She has taught at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins Universities.
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FERID BELHAJVice President of Middle East and North Africa, The World Bank
Ferid Belhaj has been the World Bank’s Regional Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa since July 2018. He previously served as Chief of Staff to the President of the World Bank Group, and before that as Country Director for Mashreq countries (2012-2017, based in Beirut), Country Director for the Pacific (2009-2012, Sydney), Special Representative to the United Nations (2007-2010, New York), and Country Manager for Morocco (2002-2007, Rabat). A Tunisian national, Mr. Belhaj joined the Bank in 1996 as Senior Counsel in the Legal Department. He is a lawyer by training with degrees in international law and politics.
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SOHA GENDIMinister for Immigration, Egypt
Soha Samir Gendi was appointed as Minister for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates’ Affairs, in August 2022. Gendi was the first woman to serve as Egypt’s ambassador to Ireland, from 2015 to 2019. She was also the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Mission of Egypt to the United Nations in New York, since 2010. She also served as Egyptian Ambassador to Germany from 1992 to 1996, and in Romania from 1999 to 2003.
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HELENE LE GALManaging Director for MENA, European External Action Service of the European Union, Former Ambassador of France to Israel and Morocco
HELENE LE GAL has been the Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa (EEAS) since October 2022. Previously, she was the French Ambassador to Morocco and to Israel. Prior to that, she has been also adviser to the representation of France to the European Union and Consul General of France in Canada (2009-2012). From 2012 to 2016, she held the position of Advisor to the cabinet of François Hollande, then President of the French Republic. Ms. Le Gal has been awarded by the Ordre National du Merite and the Legion d’Honneur in France and has also received the highest honors in Mali, Senegal, Niger and Guinee. She fluently speaks French, English and Spanish, and notions of Hebrew. She graduated at the Political Studies Institute of Paris.
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PAULA YACOUBIANMember of the Lebanese Parliament
Prior to joining the legislative branch of Lebanon as a member of the Parliament, Ms. Yacoubian has had a prominent and successful career in journalism and a television in Lebanon, as well as several pan-Arab international tv channels. Ms. Yacoubian was one of the experts chosen by the World Bank Group for its External Advisory Panel for Diversity and Inclusion, reflecting her depth of experience on women’s rights and empowerment. In May 2018, she successfully campaigned for a seat in the Lebanese Parliament, representing the Beirut I District. Throughout her career, she has been a strong defender of the environment and has promoted many climate-action and environmental protection programs. Yacoubian received many awards throughout her career: among others, in August 2017 she received the award "Officier De L'Ordre de la Couronne" (Officer of the Order of the Crown) from King Philippe I of Belgium.