The Union of Relief and Development Associations in Lebanon (URDA) participated in the 11th edition of the Mediterranean Dialogues (MED), organized by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The conference took place for the first time in the historic Royal Palace in Naples, Italy, from October 15 to 17, 2025.
URDA was represented at the conference by its Executive Director, Ms. Jihan Kaisi, who took part in panel discussions on humanitarian and development challenges in the Middle East, focusing on the role of non-governmental organizations in enhancing community resilience and supporting vulnerable groups amid ongoing crises.
The Mediterranean Dialogues conference aims to shape a positive agenda for the region, bringing together leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society, and media to discuss security, economic, and social challenges, and to propose innovative and sustainable solutions for regional cooperation.
During her participation, Ms. Kaisi emphasized the importance of strengthening international solidarity and supporting humanitarian and development initiatives, noting that URDA continues to provide humanitarian, educational, health, and social services to the most vulnerable communities in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, thereby promoting community sustainability and local resilience step by step.
It is worth noting that URDA’s participation in this conference provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and strengthen international partnerships, contributing to the visibility of humanitarian organizations at the regional level and supporting sustainable development initiatives in the Mediterranean region.