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The leading conference on the Mediterranean

19 > 21 November 2026

Save the date

ISPI and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation are pleased to announce the 12th edition of the MED – Mediterranean Dialogues which will take place in Naples, Italy, on 19-21 November 2026.

Amid escalating conflicts and geopolitical tensions across the wider Mediterranean, the MED Dialogues will bring together political leaders, the private sector, civil society, media, and the international expert and think tank community.

Mark your calendar and stay tuned for updates.

About the MED Dialogues

The leading conference on the Mediterranean, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ISPI (Italian Institute for International Political Studies) which is hosted in Naples. The MED Dialogues aim to rethink traditional approaches to the area, bringing in new ideas and suggestions as to draft a “positive agenda” for the region, which tackles security and socio-economic challenges through common visions.

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MED Dialogues | Doha Forum Regional Initiative Bridging Stability: EU-GCC Cooperation in an Era of Fragmentation 

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MED Pillars

MED – Mediterranean Dialogues builds upon five pillars: Shared Security, Shared Prosperity, Human Dimension, Power of Narratives and Culture for Peace. Debates on these topics aim to complement analyses of current challenges with new ideas and suggestions to enhance regional stability, foster economic prosperity, and promote cultural dialogue.

Latest analyses

Commentary
Middle East and North Africa

Football and Political Contention in the Middle East

From anti-colonial struggles to the Arab uprisings and the war in Gaza, football has remained a powerful arena for identity, protest and political contestation across the MENA region.

Commentary
Middle East and North Africa

Beyond Development: Sport and the New Politics of Influence in Africa

From stadium diplomacy and talent pipelines to media rights and development programmes, Africa has become a contested sporting arena where global powers compete for influence.

Commentary
Middle East and North Africa

Morocco’s Sport Strategy to the Test

Morocco’s sporting ambitions have become a pillar of diplomacy and development, but rising social inequalities, youth unrest and costly mega-events expose the tensions behind the Kingdom’s global showcase.

Commentary
Middle East and North Africa

The Game They Couldn’t Own: Football, Legitimacy and the Limits of Political Power in Libya

From Gaddafi’s football ambitions to today’s rival power centres, Libya’s stadiums reveal how sport serves as a battleground for legitimacy, patronage, contestation and political influence.

Dossier
Middle East and North Africa

Beyond the Pitch: The World Cup and the Geopolitics of Sport in the MENA Region

With a record ten teams qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the MENA region highlights how sport shapes national identity, political legitimacy, social change and regional influence.

Past editions

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