he MED-GEM Network, funded by the European Union, will play a leading role at this year’s World Power-to-X Summit, confirming its position as a key facilitator of the green hydrogen transition in the Southern Mediterranean.

Over two days, MED-GEM will contribute to the Summit’s high-level programme with the participation of its Director, Frank Wouters, in High-Level Plenary 2 (October 1), the co-organisation of Panel 12 (October 2) moderated by Dr. Mustapha Taoumi, and the hosting of a flagship Side Event (October 2, Room Fes 1) on Advancing Green Hydrogen Readiness in the Southern Mediterranean.

These activities will showcase MED-GEM’s field experience on pre-certification, financing, infrastructure readiness, and local value creation, while reinforcing its partnerships with the EU–Morocco Green Partnership (Pacte Vert), the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, IRESEN, the Green Hydrogen Cluster, OCP/INNOVX, and regional stakeholders.

1 October 12:00-13:00

HLPlenary 3: Securing and Derisking Offtake to Scale Power-to-X.

🎤 Frank Wouters, Director General, MED-GEM Network, will join Nawfal El Fadil (MASEN), Susana Moreira (H2Global Stiftung), Hicham Chad (TAQA Morocco), and Philip Christiani (CIP).
🔎 Focus: Building credible offtake frameworks to secure demand, de-risk financing, and scale up PtX projects globally.

2 October 15:00-16:00

Panel 12: Decarbonising Transport Giants: Power-to-X for Air, Sea, and Road.

🎤 Moderated by Dr. Mustapha Taoumi, Key Expert, MED-GEM Network, with the participation of Monica Swanson, Program Manager International H2, Port of Rotterdam, Daniel Neumann, Principal, FEV, and Karim Fahssis, China Head of Decarbonization, Maersk
🔎 Focus: Exploring PtX solutions for transport decarbonisation and their potential to reshape global logistics and mobility.

2 October 9:00-13:00

Room Fes 1: Advancing Green Hydrogen Readiness in the Southern Mediterranean

As green hydrogen gains momentum as a cornerstone of global decarbonization strategies, ensuring credible certification, infrastructure readiness, robust financing, and local value creation has become a critical prerequisite for market access and cross-border trade.

Southern Mediterranean countries are emerging as promising producers and exporters of renewable hydrogen, particularly to the EU. Yet delivering on this promise requires not only abundant renewable resources but also compliance with international certification standards, port readiness, bankable financing, and socio-economic impact through job creation, skills development, and industrial diversification.

The MED-GEM Network, in collaboration with national and European partners, has been actively addressing these building blocks. Initiatives include the HYDROJEEL pre-certification pilot (INNOVX/OCP, Hinicio), port export infrastructure mapping, financing assessments, and local value creation strategies.

This side event offers a comprehensive 3-hour deep dive, combining structured presentations and an interactive panel. It will showcase MED-GEM’s field experience, highlight lessons learned, and engage regulators, industry, and donors in dialogue to shape the next steps for hydrogen project readiness and export pathways.

Agenda of the Side Event

9:00 - 09:30 | Registration.

09:30 - 10:00 | Opening session. (30 min.)

• Florian ERMACORA, Head of Unit North Africa in European Commission DG MENA, Belgium.
• Ahmed Bouzid, Director General of Energy and Minerals, Ministry of Energy Transition & Sustainable Development, Morocco.
• Omnia Aboukorah-Voigt, Cluster Coordinator Energiy GIZ Maroc, GiZ Morocco.
• Yahya Zniber, Chairman, GH2 Cluster, Morocco.
• Frank Wouters, Director, MED-GEM Network.

10:00 - 11:00 | Session 1: Keynote presentations. (60 min.)

• Financing the Emergence of a Green Hydrogen Economy in the Southern Mediterranean: Challenges and Opportunities: Adrien DE BASSOMPIERRE, Head of EIB representation in Morocco & Mohammed Aymen Moumen, Resident Loan Officer - EIB - Rabat Office.
• Export Infrastructure & Hydrogen Port Readiness: Frank Wouters (MED-GEM)
• Unlocking Local Opportunities through Hydrogen: Mustapha Taoumi (MED-GEM).
• Q & A (5 min.)

11:00 - 11:15 | Coffee break. (15 min.)

11:15 - 11:45 | Session 2: From Pilot to Practice: Morocco’s Certification Experience & MED-GEM Help

• Morocco’s Pilot case study (INNOVX/Hinicio): Mustapha Taoumi, MED-GEM
• MED-GEM Network’s Help Desk insights: Antonio Rodriguez Fernandez, Cert Expert, GiZ/PtX Hub

Q & A with audience (10 min.)

11:45 - 12:55 | Session 3: Panel Discussion – Advancing Hydrogen Certification and Export Readiness (70 minutes)

Moderator: Frank Wouters, Director, MED-GEM Network

Panellists:

• Gaëtan DUCROUX, Policy Officer for Energy, Climate and Environment, EU Delegation to Morocco
• Yahya Zniber, Chairman, GH2 Cluster, Morocco
• Agustin Alonso, Co-Chair of MEDREG Hydrogen Working Group
• Cornelius Matthes, Chief Executive Officer, Dii Desert Energy
• Patrick Maio, Chairman & Founder, Hinicio
• Antonio Rodriguez Fernandez, European regulatory expert at the PtX Hub
• Open Discussion with the Audience

12:55 - 13:00 | Closing remarks (5 min.) : EU Delegation to Morocco, MED-GEM Network