MED-GEM Director, Frank Wouters, took part as a speaker in High-Level Panel 3 – “Innovate to Elevate: Putting Research and Innovation at the Heart of Competitiveness”, during the event “Implementing the EU–Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership: Accelerating Strategic Investment, Industrial Transformation and Innovation” held at the European Commission. This closed-door high-level event gathered only senior officials and key stakeholders directly involved in implementing the EU–Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, reflecting the depth and ambition of cooperation between both sides.

The session, moderated by Dr. Pilvi Torsti, Director of the European Training Foundation, featured:

• H.E. Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
• H.E. Hassan ElKhatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Arab Republic of Egypt
• Mr. Mounir Nakhla, Founder and CEO, MNT-Halan
• Ms. Norela Constantinescu, Acting Director, Innovation and Technology Centre, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
• Mr. Frank Wouters, Director, EU MED•GEM Network

Frank Wouters presented the skills gap analysis developed under the EU-funded MED•GEM Network, showing how enhanced technical and industrial skills can further strengthen Egypt’s competitiveness and attract strategic investments in renewable energy and clean tech.

This first EU–Egypt Leaders’ Summit marked a key milestone in turning shared ambitions into concrete action across the six partnership pillars, from innovation and investment to industrial transformation and sustainable growth. The high-level event concluded with closing remarks by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, reaffirming a joint commitment to a greener, more resilient, and innovation-driven future.