The new age for EU-MENA relations: turning ambitious partnerships into tangible impact. In focus: workforce readiness

Registration

Date: Wednesday, 14 May, 08h30–10h15 (CEST)

Venue: FES EU Office, Rue du Taciturne 38

Please registered here.

Participation in person and online via Zoom

Format: breakfast expert discussion

Language: English

Programme

08.15 - 08.30 – Registration and coffee

08.30 - Welcome by Claudia Detsch, Director of FES Just Climate Competence Centre

08.35 – 08.45 - Opening remarks and outline of policy landscape by Markus Lepine, Assistant to the Director-General Stefano Sannino, DG MENA, European Commission – tbc

08.45 - 09.45 - Panel discussion

• Ben Lennon, Advisor, ETUC - tbc
• Roberta Boniotti, Secretary General, Mediterranean Association of National Agencies for Energy Management (MEDENER)
• Ekaterine Gogoberishvili, Senior Project Coordinator for Education & Skills at Wind Europe
• Mohammad Mazen Al Maita, Deputy Executive Secretary at Arab Trade Union Confederation - (online participation)

09:45 - 10.15Q&A with the audience

The EU started its new political mandate with an ambitious agenda for the Southern Europe and MENA region. In the past, Europe’s approach was primarily focused on partnership agreements and memorandum of understanding (MOU). However, this time Europe has dedicated a separate Commission portfolio for the Mediterranean, which was tasked with the development of a New Pact for the Mediterranean and set up a Trans-Mediterranean Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative to increase renewable energy trading and boost clean tech manufacturing in the region. This shows not only an increased ambition, but also a novel strategic take on the Southern Europe and MENA region. The EU’s political determination is clear, as well as the potential of the region in renewable energy development and job creation. Nevertheless, there is a clear need for skilled workforce on the ground when it comes to implementation and practical steps. As highlighted by IRENA, the rapid growth of renewable energy is outpacing the development of a suitably skilled workforce. As the skills gap is widening, it presents a real barrier to sustaining the renewable energy development in the region. Moreover, the energy transition also highlights the need for technical, vocational and reskilling programmes for workers as technologies continue to evolve and new industries which did not exist before emerge today in the MENA region. For example, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that all displaced workers in fossil fuel extraction industries are assumed to receive some type of training, which is an equivalent of a minimum of 16 million trainees in the ambitious net zero scenarios by 2050 (including 300.000 fossil fuel workers, 7.9 million workers in other sectors and 8 million young people).

This challenging task also represents an opportunity for local economies to offer employment prospects, also for young people and women. Yet, when it comes to practical steps, what is the starting point? What models of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) are best suited to prepare MENA workers for emerging industries like green hydrogen and clean tech manufacturing? How can export-oriented renewable projects for Europe drive localized skills development and local value creation rather than just benefiting European markets? Are there any best practices in the region so far? If so, how to scale these up and how to structure these between private and national/European actors? How can the EU’s new Mediterranean strategy balance political ambition with measurable outcomes in workforce development across diverse MENA countries? And ultimately, how to shape and ensure the respect of appropriate labour standards and working conditions?