Prince Hassan calls for increased integration in Mediterranean region

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, HRH Prince Hassan on Friday participated in the eighth edition of the Rome Med – Mediterranean Dialogues, an annual high-level conference on Mediterranean geopolitics.

In his speech, Prince Hassan emphasised the importance of enhancing regional integration and cooperation, relying on policies that increase the region’s effectiveness and influence in resolving various issues and fostering a culture that asserts the universality of values, diversity and the acceptance of others, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

More than 200 speakers from 60 countries took part in the high-profile event, which was opened by Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

The prince said that the Mediterranean region has historically been a gateway of convergence, an important hub between Africa and Eurasia and a key to establishing intercontinental contacts in what geographer Halford Mackinder calls the “Island of the World” (Afro-Eurasia).

Prince Hassan called for the development of the Great Rift Valley, which stretches from the eastern Mediterranean to the southeast Dead Sea and the Red Sea, and southward through East Africa, adding that many countries in this part of the world struggle with conflicts and political, cultural, and religious challenges, as well as issues with the management of natural resources.

He renewed his call for forming a regional economic and social council featuring youth participation to allow young people to discuss their ideas and vision for the region and unlock their potential.

In addition, he emphasised the importance of using the multidimensional poverty index to determine which issues should be prioritised in the context of poverty, food, education and other basic priorities.

Prince Hassan stressed the need for a geopolitical database that takes into account religious holy sites in order to firmly establish “Jerusalem consciousness” and to support the Arab civilisation in the Holy City.

He also emphasised the need to use technology as a tool for developing evidence-based policies and exchanging information to address crises, as well as the significance of investing in human capital to empower people.

The Rome Med – Mediterranean Dialogues is an annual high-level conference on Mediterranean geopolitics promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Institute of Studies on International Politics. It took place for the first time in 2015 and since has been hosted annually in Rome, Italy.