By chairing the new “Blue Skills” Group under the WestMed Initiative, Tunisia is establishing itself as a key player in regional cooperation, at the heart of training, employment, and ecological transition in maritime professions.
The Press — The fifth edition of the annual WestMED Initiative Conference concluded at the end of November on a particularly encouraging note for the future of the blue economy in the region. The ten partner countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient maritime economy, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and new climate requirements.
A highlight of this edition was the announcement of the creation of a new regional technical group dedicated to “blue skills,” aimed at strengthening cooperation and structuring policies for training, certification, and employment in the maritime sector.
Tunisia was appointed to chair this group, in recognition of its consistent commitment to developing human capital related to maritime and coastal activities. This decision reflects the region’s desire to leverage local expertise and consolidate a network for sharing know-how among Mediterranean countries.
A strategic conference held for the first time in Tunisia
Held on November 28 for the first time in Tunisia, the conference was co-chaired by Tunisia and Portugal, with support from the European Commission. It brought together more than 210 participants from both shores of the Mediterranean, representing all WestMED Initiative stakeholders, including governments, regional organizations, industry actors, researchers and academics, as well as startups and associations specialized in maritime professions.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress to date and define priorities for the coming period, strengthening cooperation and dialogue between countries in the region.
Regional engine for maritime skills
Tunisia’s leadership of this technical group illustrates its potential to become a reference hub for maritime training and skills development. The “Blue Skills” Group aims to propose concrete solutions to modernize training systems, harmonize professional certifications, and adapt skills to new challenges related to the energy transition and maritime innovation.
It also seeks to enhance youth employability by offering opportunities in strategic and high-potential sectors for the region. Work within the group, which will bring together international experts, will begin in February 2026 and is expected to produce concrete recommendations to better meet the needs of the regional maritime market.
Maritime professions
Maritime professions are not just about romantic notions of sailors and ships. Behind every port, vessel, and cargo lies a complex human and technical ecosystem that drives the maritime economy.
From navigation to maritime safety, fleet maintenance to port renewable energies, international logistics to marine resource protection, this diversity of skills sustains the blue economy and supports national competitiveness. These often discreet yet essential professions ensure the functioning of ports, international trade, and coastal preservation. The “Blue Skills” Group aims to strengthen training, employability, and attractiveness of these strategic careers.
International recognition for Tunisian innovation
The conference also highlighted Tunisian innovation. During the “WestMed Project Awards 2025,” the Tunisian startup Bluepsol was recognized for its innovative solar energy project applied to port infrastructure. This award underscores the potential of young Tunisian companies to provide tangible solutions to energy and environmental challenges in the maritime sector and reflects the gradual emergence of a blue innovation ecosystem in Tunisia, enhancing the country’s regional and international competitiveness.
Structured regional cooperation under the 5+5 Dialogue
The WestMED Initiative is the result of several years of dialogue between the ten Western Mediterranean countries participating in the 5+5 Dialogue. This cooperation brings together five EU member states—France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Malta—and five Southern partners—Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, and Tunisia.
It follows the 2015 ministerial declaration of the Union for the Mediterranean, aimed at strengthening maritime security, promoting a smart and sustainable blue economy, and improving governance of maritime spaces.
Limits and challenges of the WestMed Initiative
Despite ambitious goals and progress made, the WestMED Initiative still faces structural challenges that limit its full impact. Coordination among the ten countries remains complex due to significant differences in economic development, institutional capacity, and maritime regulation.
This heterogeneity complicates uniform implementation of projects and common policies. Funding remains a major obstacle; allocated resources are insufficient for developing a sustainable and innovative blue economy, and private capital mobilization is still limited.
As a result, some projects have suffered from insufficient monitoring and evaluation, reducing their effectiveness and ability to be replicated or scaled. Moreover, training and professional integration in maritime professions remain fragmented, with unequal access across countries, slowing the creation of a true regional blue skills market and weakening the vision of fully integrated Mediterranean cooperation.
A strategic opportunity!
By chairing the “Blue Skills” Group, Tunisia is not just occupying a seat; it is becoming a driving force capable of shaping the maritime future of the entire region. This strategic position also allows Tunisia to showcase its training centers, create ambitious international partnerships, and stimulate employment in strategic and high-potential sectors for the blue economy.
Beyond regional cooperation, this represents a true showcase for Tunisian innovation and expertise. In a context where the sea is both a growth driver, a security issue, and a lever for ecological transition, Tunisia has the unique opportunity to turn these challenges into concrete projects, positioning itself as a model for sustainable, forward-looking maritime development.
Source : La Presse
