The Mediterranean and Africa are navigating a critical moment shaped by climate pressures, biodiversity loss and widening socio-economic challenges. Addressing these intertwined crises requires an approach that connects natural capital—the ecosystems and biodiversity that sustain life—with brain capital, the cognitive, emotional and social resources that drive innovation, resilience and adaptive capacity.
This high-level dialogue will explore how the integration of brain capital and natural capital can accelerate regenerative transitions across both regions. It will bring together leading experts from neuroscience, environmental economics, sustainable finance and policy to reimagine how societies measure value, invest in well-being and foster systemic resilience.
The event will take place on 20 November 2025 at 15:00 CET / 11:00 Brazil time in hybrid format. It is organised by the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA) under the Mediterranean Alliance, in the framework of COP30, in collaboration with the Brain Capital Alliance, the Brain Economy Hub and the World Economic Forum’s Brain Economy Action Forum.
The discussion will focus on how healthy ecosystems reinforce mental and cognitive well-being, how brain health and creativity support ecological stewardship, and how new policy and financial mechanisms can enable regenerative economic models. It will also highlight emerging initiatives that combine nature-based solutions, cognitive innovation and multi-sector collaboration.
The session will reflect on:
- The interdependence of ecological health and cognitive resilience in driving long-term sustainability.
- How brain health, education and creativity can catalyse behavioural and systemic shifts.
- Policy and investment approaches that support regenerative economic pathways in the Mediterranean and Africa.
- Opportunities for collaboration linking nature-based finance, innovation and inclusive development
By examining these connections, the event aims to enhance understanding of the brain–nature nexus, generate policy insights relevant to Mediterranean and African priorities, and strengthen partnerships among research communities, financial actors, civil society organisations and regional institutions.
AGENDA
Moderator: Prof. Rym Ayadi – Founder and President of the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA); Co-Founder of the Brain Capital Alliance and the Brain Economy Hub
Speakers:
- Dr. Harris A. Eyre – Senior Fellow at Rice University and The University of Texas Medical Branch; EMEA Advisor; Senior Advisor to the McKinsey Health Institute
- Dr. Nathalie Hilmi – Head of Environmental Economics, Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM); EMEA Advisor
- Prof. Alfred K. NJAMNSHI, Founder and CEO of BRAIN RESEARCH AFRICA INITIATIVE, Professor of Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuroscience – The University of Yaoundé
- Prof. Angela Esi Apeagyei (Micah) – Research Assistant Professor, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. University of Washington
- Dennis Pamlin – Executive Director Flourishing Lives 4 All (FL4ALL) Senior Advisor at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
For more information on the Brain Economy, you may consult the following resources:
Link to the World Economic Forum’s Brain Economy Action Forum
Link to the Brain Capital Alliance
Link to the Brain Economy Hub
Link to the EMEA Global Brain Capital Dashboard
Link to the Sustainable Transformative Alliance (STA)