On Thursday, June 26, and Friday, June 27, 2025, the eighteenth plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean Union was held in Málaga, Spain. Senate member Cees van de Sanden (VVD) participated in the meeting which concluded Spains one-year presidency of this assembly. Migration was the main theme of the meeting. Additionally, there was attention to the position of youth, especially those younger than 24 years and women.
At the opening of the conference, Francine Armengol, President of the Spanish Congress of Deputies, marked the thirtieth anniversary of multilateral cooperation around the Mediterranean. Armengol emphasized that the need for a new pact for the Mediterranean region is greater than ever. Such a pact should lead to a joint and sustainable approach to cross-border issues. The President referred to the crisis in the Gaza Strip, which she stated underscores the importance of joint action.
Regarding migration, Armengol noted that existing migration flows do not stand alone but are the result of structural challenges such as poverty, inadequate basic services, conflicts, and climate change. Javier Maroto, Vice President of the Spanish Senate, explained the Spanish approach to regular migration, which focuses on a safe and regulated inflow to serve the labor market. Furthermore, the presidents and vice-presidents of the Moroccan, Egyptian, and European Parliaments addressed the members, with much attention given to the situation in the Middle East.
In his contribution, Senator Cees van de Sanden emphasized the importance of addressing the flow of fake news as it undermines trust. He specifically referred to the unreliable information about migration and climate change that is currently circulating. Utilizing artificial intelligence can make people more resilient, he said: ‘Let us equip our citizens with digital skills to combat falsehoods and forge robust AI standards rooted in transparency and inclusion, and commit ourselves to a resilient, inclusive, and united future.’
During the conference, the situation of youth under 24 years was zoomed in on. Many of them are excluded from economic growth, education, and opportunities. Their potential – especially that of young women – is crucial for the development of the region. Several speakers emphasized the need to invest in human talent and create opportunities in their own region. This could address the root causes of migration. Many people do not flee their home country of their own free will, but because they lack access to basic services or safety, according to various speakers. Four youth representatives from Italy, Greece, Tunisia, and Syria spoke at the end of the meeting about education, development, cooperation, respect, and tolerance. The youth were appointed by the Anna Lindh Foundation, an organization that has been engaged in intercultural dialogue between societies on both sides of the Mediterranean since 2005. The foundation works closely with the assembly.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean Region is a forum of 280 parliamentarians from the European Union and the 17 Mediterranean partner countries of the EU in Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The assembly is the parliamentary component of the Union for the Mediterranean Region, which aims to improve cooperation between the European Union and its 17 partner countries in the Mediterranean area across various fields. After Spain, Egypt will assume the presidency of the Union next year.