In Tunis, women entrepreneurs are at the heart of a regional policy conference on innovation in agri-food systems
Tunis, Tunisia, October 28-29, 2026. More than 120 representatives from governments, the European Union Delegation to Tunisia, international organizations, donors, financial institutions, research centers, entrepreneurship support organizations, and women entrepreneurs gathered in Tunis for two days dedicated to innovation and women's entrepreneurship in agri-food systems. Organized within the framework of the Masar Al'an program, this conference is part of the work of the Joint Regional Task Force led by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in partnership with CIHEAM, FAO, and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) , with the participation of partners from seven countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia.
One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation and discussion of the draft Regional Policy Agenda 2026–2030 on innovation for women entrepreneurs in agri-food systems , developed through a participatory process involving stakeholders from seven countries in the southern Mediterranean. The discussions helped to clarify the priorities of this Agenda and identify concrete actions for its future implementation.
Over these two days, participants took part in policy dialogues, thematic roundtables, and interactive workshops focused on innovation, financing, entrepreneurship support mechanisms, and women's leadership. Particular attention was paid to strengthening cooperation between public institutions, financial organizations, academic institutions, private sector actors, and development partners.
Women entrepreneurs themselves played a central role in the discussions, sharing their concrete experiences of the opportunities and obstacles encountered in creating and developing innovative agri-food businesses. Their testimonies underscored the importance of designing policies that address the realities and needs of women throughout agricultural value chains.
The conference concluded with broad support for pursuing a coordinated regional approach to women's entrepreneurship and innovation in agri-food systems. The recommendations made at this meeting will contribute to finalizing the 2026–2030 Regional Policy Agenda and its Action Plan, guiding future efforts towards more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Mediterranean agri-food systems. This conference is part of a broader dynamic of regional cooperation aimed at strengthening women's economic empowerment and their role in innovation, resilience, and sustainable development in the Mediterranean.
Official statements
Petra Kezman, UfM Deputy Secretary General in charge of human development:
“The 2026–2030 Regional Policy Agenda is our response to this challenge. It aims to strengthen existing ecosystems, bring institutions closer together, and help women entrepreneurs transform their innovations into viable businesses that generate sustainable economic and social benefits.”
Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of CIHEAM:
“Our countries have no shortage of initiatives to support women entrepreneurs. But these mechanisms still too often operate in isolation. Our challenge is to better coordinate them, simplify procedures, and facilitate women's journey, from training to developing their businesses.”
Isidro Antonio González Afonso, Ambassador of Spain to Tunisia:
“Women are present at every stage of the agri-food value chain: they sow, harvest, process, raise livestock, and preserve seeds. At every stage, except the last. They leave the chain precisely when monetary value begins to be created: when products are sold, prices are set, and credit contracts are signed. It’s not a question of skills, but of access: access to land, financing, markets, and decision-making spaces.”
Sanaa Zebakh, Director of PRIMA:
“Supporting a woman in agri-food innovation is doing much more than supporting an entrepreneur: it’s sowing the seeds of change for her community and for future generations. When a woman progresses, her influence far exceeds her own success.”
About the initiative
The Regional Political Conference was organised by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) as part of the Masar Al'an programme, with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and in collaboration with several regional and international partners, including FAO, PRIMA, CIHEAM, Berytech, Chemonics, CAWTAR, MedWaves, BETA Technological Centre and Impact Partner, committed to women's economic empowerment, innovation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean.