What is Diplomeds
Diplomeds – The Council for Mediterranean Diplomacy is a policy group working to improve relations between countries in the Mediterranean, promote regional cooperation, increase inclusivity, resolve conflicts, and advance peace.
Diplomeds originates from the Mediterranean, acts for the Mediterranean, and is operated by Mediterraneans. It applies a modern outlook on diplomacy and integrates innovative concepts and tools, as well as emerging global agendas, while dealing with traditional diplomatic issues and striving for real-world policy impact.
Why is Diplomeds Needed
A variety of conflicts and tensions in the Mediterranean prevent the region from fulfilling its political, economic and societal potential. Shifting regional dynamics are presenting a changed environment and possibly new opportunities. Increased diplomatic engagement between regional actors should be enhanced and more wholly embraced.
Traditional interventions and formal frameworks do not always adequately address the Mediterranean’s diplomatic needs. A number of regional organizations acknowledge that they lack a conflict resolution mandate and are therefore limited in what they can contribute. Some also face an asymmetry of capabilities between sub-regions, which needs to be addressed. Diplomeds can contribute to complementing the role and efforts of these organizations.
What we do
Diplomeds is actively engaged in addressing several issues of relevance to the Mediterranean region. The policy topics on which Diplomeds is currently working on include:
Leveraging the Israel-Lebanon maritime border deal
Supporting Egypt-Turkey rapprochement
Launching a Morocco-Algeria dialogue
Improving the situation in Gaza and advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace
Utilizing energy to promote conflict resolution in the region
Defining and advancing Mediterranean diplomacy
Advising policies towards the Mediterranean
How we work
Diplomeds operates via multi- national and task-driven policy support teams, and a growing network of Mediterranean affiliates, which seek to provide feasible solutions and foster change.
Diplomeds maps and monitors relevant diplomatic issues, and develops knowledge-based strategies that correlate with policy goals, institutional capacity, and prospects for success.
Diplomeds convenes and facilitates policy dialogues and back-channel talks, and offers consultancy, problem-solving and policy formulation support to governments, regional and multilateral institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
Who we are
Diplomeds is composed of value-driven and impact-oriented high-level Mediterranean professionals from the fields of diplomacy, conflict resolution, civil society, and regional cooperation.
Diplomeds strives to be inclusive in membership and collaborative in management. It currently includes around 30 affiliated experts from all parts of the Mediterranean region. These experts come from a variety of backgrounds and countries, and are also diverse in terms of age and gender. They have the capacity to make an impact, access stakeholders, deliver fresh and independent recommendations, and advance policy processes.
Executive board
Supervisory board
Diplomeds experts
At this stage, Diplomeds experts also include, but are not limited to, Huda Abuarquob, Dr. Pınar Akpınar, Prof. Joseph Bahout, Yasmina Dahech, Dr. Ehud Eiran, Intissar Fakir, Amb. (ret.) Michael Harari, Amb. (ret.) Mohammed Loulichki, Amb. (ret.) John O’Rourke, Amb. (ret.) Mithat Rende, Amb. (ret.) Dr. Abderahman Salaheldin, Prof. Ahmet Sözen, Dr. Abdullah Swalha, Valeria Talbot, Prof. Harry Tzimitras, Prof. Yahia H. Zoubir.