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
Promoting an additional seaport for Gaza
Utilizing energy to promote conflict resolution in the region
Defining and advancing Mediterranean diplomacy
Advising policies towards the Mediterranean
How Does Diplomeds 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.