Egypt hosts 9th Mediterranean Central Banks Conference to drive innovation and regional integration

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) on Wednesday hosted the 9th Annual Conference of Mediterranean Central Banks in Cairo, convening governors, policymakers, and senior officials from across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The event, organised in collaboration with Banco de España, the OECD, the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), was held under the theme “Harnessing Innovation and Integration for Sustainable and Inclusive Development in the Mediterranean Region.”

The conference served as a strategic platform to deliberate on pressing global and regional economic issues, including financial innovation, integration, and sustainable development. CBE Governor Hassan Abdalla underscored Egypt’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation, describing the Mediterranean as a “historic bridge between cultures” that must now become a hub of innovation and resilience.

Key speakers, including Banco de España Governor José Luis Escrivá, OECD’s Luiz de Mello, IEMed President Senén Florensa, and UfM Deputy Secretary General Meltem Büyükkarakaş, highlighted the importance of multilateralism, green financing, financial inclusion, and digital integration.

The conference featured four thematic sessions covering artificial intelligence in finance, sustainable development financing, regional financial integration, and inclusion strategies. In his closing remarks, Abdalla praised the constructive exchanges and affirmed that the discussions mark a pivotal step toward regional financial stability and sustainable growth. Participants agreed that Banco de España will host the next edition, preceded by a technical meeting among central banks to deepen coordination.