The role of science diplomacy in strengthening cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is facing multiple pressures and combined impacts of anthropogenic and natural disturbances at different scales and contexts, along with increasing social and economic risk perceptions and concerns about serious threats, such as political instability, fragile health systems, youth unemployment, climate change, poverty, and migration, among others. Mediterranean socioeconomic activities rely on marine resources and maritime services. However, its sea and coasts are under pressure, with an urgent need for effective, efficient, and successful solutions for the protection of its habitats and ecosystems and for the safety, security, and prosperity of its population. Recognizing the value of each country’s specificity as a strength for the Mediterranean region, there is an opportunity for a cultural transformation to create a proud community that shares the same region as a common value for the benefit of the Mediterranean (Mare Nostrum). This chapter focuses on the role of the 5+5 Dialogue for research, innovation, and higher education in facilitating Mounir Ghribi The role of science diplomacy in strengthening cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean 70 scientific cooperation among countries on the Western Mediterranean shores. It presents the Dialogue as a best practice for using the instrument of science diplomacy and as a concrete contribution of Italy to the 5+5 Dialogue through the Blue Skills initiative, which supports the development of skills, capacity building, and mobility in the sustainable blue economy sector and aims to promote youth employability, valorize investment conditions to ease the interconnection between governance, industry, and academia, and create appropriate conditions for dialogue to pave the way toward spreading evidence-based policy and supporting decision-making across Mediterranean borders.