Immagine Centrata

Main Agenda

Friday, September 19th

(*) Speakers marked with an asterisk are pending confirmation

MEDA City Forum 2025

Centro Congressi – Fiera di Cagliari
Piazza Efisio Puddu, 09126 Cagliari (CA)

09:00 AM

Registration and Welcome Coffee

09:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Opening Plenary Session

Moderated by: Barbara SERRA (Italian-British Journalist)

Opening Remarks:
Maurizio DE PASCALE, President, Chamber of Commerce of Cagliari-Oristano
Andrea PRETE, President, Unioncamere
Alessandra TODDE, President, Region of Sardinia
Maria Cristina MANCINI, Vice-Mayor, Municipality of Cagliari
Ahmed EL WAKIL, President, ASCAME, President of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (Egypt)
Salvatore DEIDDA, President, Transport Commission, Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament*
Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President, European Commission and Commissioner for Regional and Cohesion Policy (video message)

Pre-recorded Remarks by:

Stefano SANNINO, European Commission, Acting Director General, Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf

Roundtable:
Mediterranean Cities: Between Sustainable Development and Cooperation
Antonello CHESSA, Operational Management Director , Interreg NextMed Programme
Leoluca ORLANDO, European Parliament, Vice-President, Delegation for Relations with the Mashreq Countries
Marco MURA, Program Officer, Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.
Hamza Benabdallah, President, Fès-Meknes Chamber of Commerce
Alaa EZZ, Secretary General, Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce and CEEBA

THE VOICE OF THE ISLANDS

Gaetano ARMAO, Professor, University of Palermo (Rector’s Delegate for Insularity)
Stefano USAI, Professor, University of Cagliari
Giannis ROUSSOS, President, INSULEUR and Cyclades Chamber of Commerce

11:00 AM

Coffee break

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

First Session: Housing Strategies in Mediterranean Cities: Innovation and Urban Regeneration

Keynote:

Massimo FAIFERRI, University of Cagliari

Roundtable:
Simonetta CENCI, General Director, Atelier Alfonso Femia
Ariadna MIGUEL, Strategic Planning Director, Barcelona Council
Emad Abdel WAHAB, Chairman, Leads Construction (Egypt)
Matteo LECIS COCCO ORTU, Councillor for Strategic, Urban and Environmental Planning, Municipality of Cagliari
Efe ONER, Architect, Dept. Urban Regeneration, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality

THE VOICE OF THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Questions, perspectives, and proposals from chamber leaders

12:30 PM – 01:15 PM

MEDA City Youth: Youth, Startups & Urban Mobility

Presentation of the winning projects of the Hackathon “Hack the Street”, promoted by the Metropolitan City of Cagliari

Promoted by the Metropolitan City of Cagliari in partnership with Rumundu, the Hackathon Hack the Street brings together young talents, students and creative professionals from across the region to co-design innovative solutions for the sustainable mobility of Mediterranean cities.

01:15 PM

Light Lunch & Networking

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Second Session: The Mediterranean as a Sustainable Tourism Destination: The Role of Cities

Keynote: Giovanni SISTU, University of Cagliari
Alessandra PRIANTE, President, Italian National Tourism Board – ENIT (video)

Roundtable:
Ghada SHALABY, Secretary General, Egyptian Hotel Association
Maria FRONTERA, Tourism Committee President, Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca
Zeineb ZOUAOUI, Press & Communication Coordinator, Tunisian National Tourist Office
Haykel AKROUT, Director, Royal Azur and Bel Azur Hotel (Tunisia)
Ester TAMASI, Italy Director, Malta Tourism Authority

THE VOICE OF THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Questions, perspectives, and proposals from chamber leaders

Moez HASSEN, Director, Chamber of Commerce of Cap Bon (Tunisia)
Dimitrios F. Bakalis, Project Manager, Ilia Chamber of Commerce, Greece

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Third Session: Port Development and Urban Mobility in the Mediterranean

Keynote: Gianfranco FANCELLO, University of Cagliari

Roundtable:
Rabih SABRA, Director General, Beirut-Mount Lebanon Chamber of Commerce
Massimo DEANDREIS, General Director, SRM Research Center
Eduard RODÉS, Director, Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport
Domenico BAGALA’, Special Commissioner of the Sardinian Sea Port System Authority*
Antonello FONTANILI, Director, Uniontrasporti

THE VOICE OF THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Questions, perspectives, and proposals from chamber leaders

06:15 PM

Gala Dinner (on invitation only)

Saline Conti Vecchi
Participation is reserved for ASCAME members and partners

Pre-Event Activities

Thursday, September 18th

09:00 AM

The Hackathon is reserved for youngsters under invitation of the Metropolitan City of Cagliari

Hackathon – Hack the Street

Promoted by the Metropolitan City of Cagliari in partnership with Rumundu, the Hackathon Hack the Street brings together young talents, students and creative professionals from across the region to co-design innovative solutions for the sustainable mobility of Mediterranean cities.

The event is part of the official calendar of European Mobility Week 2025 and takes place at the Padiglione Badas, within the Cagliari Fair District. Participants will work in teams, supported by mentors and facilitators, using tools like the Business Model Canvas to develop projects under the theme “Mobility for All” — focusing on accessibility, inclusion, and digital innovation.

The winning teams will be invited to present their projects on the following day during the MEDA City Youth session of the Forum, offering them visibility and direct engagement with institutions, stakeholders and business leaders from the Euro-Mediterranean area.

11:30 AM

Participation is reserved for ASCAME members and partners.

ACP Collection, Viale Regina Margherita 6, Cagliari

The EU Interreg NextMed Programme – Meeting with the Managing Authority

Managing Authority. They will share preliminary results from the first two calls for proposals and outline upcoming activities and funding opportunities. The session aims to foster dialogue on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and provide insights into strategic priorities for the region. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with the programme’s leadership and explore potential synergies. This seminar will feature a presentation by representatives of the Interreg NextMed Managing Authority. They will share preliminary results from the first two calls for proposals and outline upcoming activities and funding opportunities. The session aims to foster dialogue on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and provide insights into strategic priorities for the region. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with the programme’s leadership and explore potential synergies.

Emanuele CABRAS, Euromediterranean Cooperativo Advisor, Chamber of Commerce of Cagliari-Oristano

Antonello CHESSA, Operational Management Director, Interreg NextMed Programme Managing Authority

Martin HEIBEL. Communication Manager, Interreg NextMed Programme Managing Authority

1:30 PM

Participation is reserved for ASCAME members and partners.

Light Lunch & Networking

2:30 PM

Participation is reserved for ASCAME members and partners.

ACP Collection, Viale Regina Margherita 6, Cagliari

Grendi Group and the MITO – Mediterranean Intermodal Terminal Operator

Grendi Group is a vertically integrated logistics operator based in Cagliari, active in maritime, road, and intermodal transport. Founded in 1828, it draws on nearly two centuries of experience. From its Italian base, Grendi operates regular daily shipping services to and from Sardinia, along with new weekly connections to Algeria and Tunisia. Its nationwide transport and distribution network combines maritime, road, and rail solutions, supported by strategically located warehouses. The Group also manages long-term concession terminals, including the MITO hub in Cagliari, where the innovative LORO² model blends LOLO container services with RORO operations for efficient links to North Africa.

Gianfranco FANCELLO, Transports and Logistics Professor, University of Cagliari

Euan LONMON, Member of the Board of Grendi Holding

Ismaele CARA and Massimo BANDINI, Commercial Department Grendi Group

3:30 PM

Participation is reserved for ASCAME members and partners.

Molo Ichnusa – Port of Cagliari

Presentation and Site Visit of the New Port of Cagliari Terminal

Ro-Ro and passenger terminal at the Port of Cagliari marks a major step forward in transforming the city into a key Mediterranean logistics hub. With a total investment of approximately €338 million—including €99.35 million from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility—the terminal is expected to be completed by 2029. It will feature six berths, a maneuvering basin with 11-meter depths, and five yards accommodating up to 2,500 trailers, including dedicated space for hazardous goods. The two-level passenger terminal will include customs, health services, ticketing, and a panoramic restaurant. Environmental mitigation and ordnance clearance are also part of the project. The initiative aims to shift commercial traffic away from the historic port, freeing it for cruise and leisure use, while enhancing intermodal connectivity and regional development.

After the presentation of the project at the Molo Ichnusa conference room, the site visit will be carried out either by bus, or by boat. In the latter case, participants will walk to the Molo Ichnusa pier (approx. 10 minutes on foot). Shuttle arrangements will be confirmed prior to the event.

Domenico BAGALA’, Special Commissioner of the Sardinian Sea Port System Authority

Gianfranco FANCELLO, Transports and Logistics Professor, University of Cagliari

TBD, Sardinian Sea Port System Authority

Logistic Note

For any kind of support, please contact

Mrs. Simona CASU

WhatsApp: +393932140854

E-mail: congressi@esseevents.it

Event Venues

Centro Congressi – Fiera di Cagliari
Piazza Efisio Puddu, 09126 Cagliari (CA)
Accessible via public transportation or dedicated shuttle services.
Shuttle pick-up points: Hotel Regina Margherita and Chamber of Commerce – Largo Carlo Felice.
Saline Conti Vecchi
Gala dinner in a charming location just 10 minutes from the recommended hotels.
A dedicated transfer service will be provided.
Participation is reserved for ASCAME members and partners.
ACP Collection, Viale Regina Margherita 6, Cagliari
Venue for the Light Lunch and Networking session on September 18th.
Port of Cagliari – Molo Ichnusa
The site visit to the new Ro-Ro and passenger terminal will be conducted either:
– by bus provided by the organizers, with pick-up from the ACP Collection; or
– by boat, in which case participants will walk to the pier (approx. 10 minutes from the city center).

Recommended Accommodation

5-Star Hotels

4-Star Hotels

3-Star Hotels

Alternative Options

Urban Mobility

From the Airport to the City Center

Taxi: approx. 10-minute ride
Rates: €20 (daytime) / €25 (nighttime)
Numbers: 070 400101 – 070 6655
Train: departs every ~20 min from arrivals terminal
Ticket: €1.30

City Transport

CTM: www.ctmcagliari.it
For routes, real-time schedules, and tickets download the CTM app:
Android: BusFinder Android
iOS: BusFinder iOS

Private Transfers

Francesca Cocco – Incoming Sardegna
Phone: +39 339 3784596 / 070 828410

Restaurants and Dining

Most restaurants are near the Chamber of Commerce in Largo Carlo Felice, particularly in the Stampace and Marina districts.

Recommended Restaurants

Luigi Pomata – Viale Regina Margherita 18 – Tel. 070 672058
Josto – Via Sassari 25 – Tel. 070 3510722
Ellusu – Corso Vittorio Emanuele 21
Salsamenteria – Via Sonnino 154

Pizzerias with View

Registration