Alicante has been chosen by the Spanish government to host the forthcoming MED-9 summit, gathering the leaders of nine Mediterranean-oriented states and shaping a shared European agenda for the year ahead. The request comes from Madrid, outlining plans for the meeting to bring together Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, Croatia, and Slovenia. Officials indicate the event will occur on the scheduled date, with preliminary sessions set to convene at Casa Mediterráneo and the Ciudad de la Luz complex, as confirmed by public records reviewed by this publication.
The most recent gathering of the Southern EU partners took place in Greece in 2021, with Athens serving as the backdrop under the guidance of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The discussions at that time focused on climate resilience in the Mediterranean region and how shifting environmental conditions impact neighboring economies and communities. Since then, shifting geopolitical dynamics, including the repercussions of the war in Ukraine, intensified energy concerns, and the imperative of advancing ecological modernization, have remained central on the leaders’ agenda as they seek practical, scalable solutions.
Designating Alicante as the host town for this top-level conference places the province at the heart of Europe’s political calendar. It signals a commitment to addressing rising energy costs, stabilizing regional markets, and accelerating cross-border cooperation. In this vein, energy security and the diversification of supply routes have emerged as urgent topics, with discussions in broader circles about improving gas interchange arrangements between Spain and France. The dialogue among Madrid, Paris, and other capitals reflects a shared aim to strengthen resilience while navigating the complexities of international energy markets, especially in the context of the Pyrenees corridor and related infrastructure upgrades, a matter under active consideration by participating governments.
Casa Mediterráneo stands out as a central venue for the summit, underscoring its role as a public diplomacy hub. Since its inception, the organization has been focused on fostering mutual understanding and collaboration across the Mediterranean basin. Its work spans multiple domains, including cultural exchange, economic partnerships, climate action, gender equity, and scientific innovation. By hosting discussions that bridge policy, industry, and civil society, the venue supports a balanced approach to the issues facing member states and neighboring regions, and it reinforces Alicante’s position as a focal point for regional dialogue and cooperative projects that extend beyond the conference duration. [Citation: Official records and institutional summaries]