Cairo Declaration on International Cooperation in Technical Education Adopted at Mediterranean Forum

Participants at the Mediterranean Forum on Technical and Vocational Education, held in Cairo, Egypt, on June 5 and 6, 2026, have adopted the “Cairo Declaration on International Cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the Mediterranean Region,” themed “Skills that Shape the Future.”.

This initiative aligns with Egypt’s commitment to enhancing regional and international cooperation in technical and vocational education, as part of the Ministry of Education’s vision to develop human resources and improve youth competitiveness in line with future labor market demands.

The forum was a collaborative effort between Egypt and Italy, reflecting the shared will of participating countries to establish frameworks for bilateral and multilateral cooperation in technical and vocational education. This collaboration aims to support the development of youth training systems, facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices, and create advanced educational pathways that respond to rapid technological changes and labor market needs at both regional and international levels.

The Cairo Declaration was endorsed by twelve countries: Egypt, Italy, Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Spain, and Libya. This broad regional consensus underscores the importance of investing in human skill development and fostering collaborative efforts in technical education.

The declaration emphasizes the pivotal role of technical and vocational education in supporting economic and social development while enhancing youth employment opportunities and promoting social cohesion. It also highlights the need for educational pathways that align with digital transformation, green economy initiatives, and artificial intelligence applications.

Among its shared objectives are the exchange of experiences and best practices in vocational education, enhancement of student-teacher mobility programs, encouragement of joint educational programs, as well as development of digital skills, environmental competencies, and entrepreneurship skills.

Proposed areas for collaboration include strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and industry sectors, supporting research networks focused on youth employability and social inclusion, organizing joint conferences and training programs, as well as coordinating professional qualification frameworks to promote mutual recognition of acquired skills among participating countries.

The declaration also calls for establishing a coordination mechanism through national points of contact within relevant ministries in participating countries. These points will be responsible for preparing annual joint action plans and monitoring the implementation of agreed-upon initiatives to ensure their sustainability and maximize their impact.

The Ministry of Education reaffirms that hosting this significant regional event highlights Egypt’s leading role in advancing technical education and vocational training. It reflects Egypt’s commitment to fostering constructive cooperation with regional countries and international partners to build a modern educational system capable of equipping qualified individuals with essential skills for future jobs while supporting sustainable development efforts that promote economic growth across Mediterranean nations.