The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) on Wednesday hosted the 9th Annual Conference of Mediterranean Central Banks, an event that brought together governors and economic experts to discuss harnessing innovation and integration for sustainable development in the region. The conference was organised in collaboration with the Banco de España, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). In his opening remarks, CBE Governor Hassan Abdalla welcomed the participants and said that hosting the event reflects Egypt's "unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration and exchanging expertise to promote stability and prosperity across the region." Abdalla emphasised that the conference was a valuable opportunity to deepen cooperation, particularly in light of current circumstances that demand collective action. "The Mediterranean, which has long served as a bridge between people, cultures, and continents, must now also evolve into a hub for innovation and resilience," he said. Hassan Abdalla For his part, José Luis Escrivá, Governor of Banco de España, called for strengthening cooperation between the participating central banks. "It is precisely in times of uncertainty and division that the value of multilateralism becomes most evident," he said. The conference featured four main sessions, covering topics such as artificial intelligence in the financial sector, financing for sustainable development, financial inclusion, and financial integration. In his closing remarks, Abdalla said the conference's outcomes are a crucial step toward supporting financial stability and promoting sustainable and inclusive development for the Euro-Mediterranean region. It was announced at the conclusion of the conference that the next edition will be hosted by the Banco de España. It was also agreed that a technical preparatory meeting will be held among the participating central banks four months prior tothe next conference to promote stronger alignment and coordination
