Verso Sud: International Mediterranean Forum



The International Mediterranean Forum: "Verso Sud (Looking Southward): Europe's strategy for a new geopolitical, economic and socio-cultural season in the Mediterranean" is an international public-private platform that TEHA Group has launched in collaboration with and under the patronage of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, with the aim of bringing together, in a single think tank, the best companies, institutions, representatives of academia and research, to build, enhance and communicate a new idea of the South and of the country, strongly projected on the Mediterranean.

For the 5th edition of Verso Sud, a series of thematic Round Tables have been organised across the Southern regions of Italy, to address the key priorities in the Mediterranean. The aim of these meetings is to develop proposals and solutions for the growth of Southern Italy and the Mediterranean, actively involving various stakeholders from the territory in the process.

The resulting insights and proposals were presented at the Annual Forum in Sorrento, on May, 15-16 2026, preceded by an afternoon of dialogue with a group of students from nearby schools: "Sorrento meets the future: the Mediterranean for the Youth".

During the event, a new edition of the "White Book" of the Verso Sud project was presented, along with the updated Mediterranean Sustainable Development Index (MSDI), an innovative monitoring index for the positioning of South Italy within the Mediterranean, with regards to the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda.

The initiative was held under the patronage of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, with the collaboration of FS Group, MSC Group, Edison, Coldiretti and MBDA, and the Ambassadors GCERTI, Graded, and TeaTrek Group.

Key discussion topics 

Scientific Committee

Enrico Giovannini (Professor, Tor Vergata Rome University and Luiss Guido Carli; former Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Italy), Arancha González Laya (Dean, Sciences Po - Paris School for International Affairs; formerly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Spain), Fabrizia Lapecorella (Professor, University of Bari; former General Director of the Finances Department, Ministry of Economy, Italy), and Stefano Manservisi (Professor, Sciences Po - Paris School for International Affairs and EUI School of Transnational Governance; former Director General, International Cooperation and Development, European Commission).