- The Ministers of Research, Innovation, and Higher Education in the 5+5 Dialogue reaffirmed their support for PRIMA, welcoming its renewal for three more years (2025–2027).
- For the first time, PRIMA participated as an observer in the VI Ministerial Conference of the 5+5 Dialogue on Research, Innovation, and Higher Education.
- The Lisbon Declaration, signed during the conference, highlights PRIMA’s impact in advancing sustainability and collaboration across the Mediterranean region.
- The meeting ended two years of the Portuguese Presidency of the 5+5 Dialogue
- PRIMA was recognized as a key instrument for addressing complex Mediterranean challenges and fostering regional integration, resilience, and prosperity.
6 December 2024 | The VI Ministerial Conference of the 5+5 Dialogue on Research, Innovation, and Higher Education was held the 6th of December 2024, in Lisbon, Portugal.
The conference brought together Ministers of Education, Universities, and Research from Algeria, France, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Libya, Spain, Portugal, and Tunisia. In addition to PRIMA, were also present the following observer organizations : the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED).
Chaired by Portugal’s Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, the meeting concluded Portugal’s two-year presidency of the 5+5 Dialogue, handing the leadership to Libya for the next two years.
The Lisbon Declaration: recognizing PRIMA’s strategic role in the region
A main outcome of the conference is the signing of the Lisbon Declaration, outlining the priorities for research, innovation, and higher education for the coming years. Notably, the ministers reiterated their support for PRIMA, stating:
“We welcome the renewal of PRIMA for three more years (2025-2027) with the necessary commitment from the 5+5 Dialogue member Countries, focusing on the same key themes: Water, Agriculture, and Food Security, with an increased emphasis on the holistic approach addressing the Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) Nexus, contributing to science diplomacy in the region..”
The declaration also highlighted PRIMA’s role as a R&I platform. The Ministers reitaring:
“The support to PRIMA as a research and innovation platform attracting a critical mass of key actors and funds enabling to address complex challenges in the Mediterranean Region, contributing to the integration, resilience, and prosperity of the Mediterranean”
About the 5+5 dialogue
The Western Mediterranean Forum, known as the 5+5 Dialogue, is a strategic partnership uniting ten countries across the Mediterranean region. This collaborative platform brings together Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia in a comprehensive effort to foster regional cooperation and development.
The primary purpose of the 5+5 dialogue is to cultivate a political dialogue, enhance cooperation, and optimize resource management. By doing so, the initiative aims to strengthen regional interdependence and promote sustainable development across the Mediterranean basin.
The forum’s organizational framework is structured around three key strategic axes: Networking, Research and Innovation, and Higher Education. These pillars enable member countries to collaborate on critical issues, share knowledge, and develop joint approaches to common challenges.
Geographically, the 5+5 Dialogue extands to both shores of the Mediterranean. This composition allows for a comprehensive, balanced approach to regional cooperation that goes beyond traditional political and cultural boundaries.
In the Declaration, the Ministers congratulate “the Republic of Portugal for the work accomplished during its presidency of the 5+5 Dialogue and congratulate Mauritania for its role as co-president.”
PRIMA’s Portuguese National Funding Agency, FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology), supported the organization of the conference.
Photo credit: FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology).
Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Mr. Fernando Alexandre & Mr. Octavi Quintana, PRIMA director (Photo credit: Foundation for Science and Technology).
