North Africa and the Mediterranean are increasingly emerging as critical strategic corridors linking Europe, Africa, and the wider Atlantic system. From migration governance and energy connectivity to maritime security and economic integration, the region now sits at the center of European foreign policy and transatlantic cooperation. At the same time, persistent instability across parts of the Sahel continues to shape security, development, and diplomatic priorities across the broader Mediterranean basin.
In this evolving landscape, Portugal seeks to expand its strategic relevance in the Mediterranean. As a member of the European Union and NATO with longstanding diplomatic and economic ties across North Africa and Africa more broadly, Portugal brings a distinctive perspective to shifting regional dynamics. European engagement with North Africa and the Sahel is entering a new phase—one defined by intensifying geopolitical competition, renewed energy partnerships, and a growing emphasis on economic resilience and regional cooperation.
This public fireside chat, part of the Stimson Center’s Ambassador Series, will convene policymakers, analysts, members of the diplomatic community, and regional experts for a one-hour conversation with H.E. Ambassador Duarte Lopes. The discussion will explore Europe’s evolving engagement with North Africa and the Sahel, Mediterranean security dynamics, and Portugal’s role within broader EU–Africa partnerships shaping stability, connectivity, and development across the region.
Featured Speakers
Francisco António Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal to the United States
Hafed Al Ghwell, Director & Senior Fellow, North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Sahel Program at the Stimson Center (Moderator)