Abraham Accords, IMEC corridor: 53 local authorities across Northern Israel unite in an alliance to shape the region's future

Against the backdrop of profound regional transformations, driven by the Abraham Accords and the development of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), 53 local authorities in northern Israel have, for the first time, forged an unprecedented regional alliance aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and accelerating economic development.

This regional initiative, named the "Next Bay 53-City Alliance," brings together 53 local authorities stretching from Haifa Bay to the Beit She'an Valley and the Galilee, a strategic geographic, economic and social region home to more than 2 million residents, including Jewish, Arab, Druze, Bedouin, Circassian, Bahá'í, and Ahmadi communities.

The alliance aims to strengthen northern Israel's position as the country's gateway to regional connectivity, foster cooperation among local authorities, and leverage the opportunities created by the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to promote economic growth, innovation, job creation, and regional development.

Thanks to its strategic location and infrastructure, northern Israel, including the Port of Haifa, one of the largest ports in the Eastern Mediterranean, is a key logistics hub along the IMEC Corridor. As Israel's maritime gateway to the region, it represents a major strategic asset for expanding trade and connectivity between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

The Next Bay 53-City Alliance was jointly founded by the Haifa Bay Local Authorities Cluster, the Kinneret Valleys Cluster, the Galilee and Valleys Cluster, the Municipality of Haifa, the Municipality of Beit She'an, and the Emek HaMaayanot Regional Council.

Last Thursday, their respective leaders signed the Alliance's founding charter. The signing ceremony was followed by a panel discussion featuring senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economy, Interior, Energy, Transport, Communications, and Regional Cooperation, focusing on the policy priorities and collaborative actions needed to position northern Israel within the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Earlier this month, Frank Melloul was appointed Ambassador of the Next Bay 53-City Alliance to help raise the Alliance's international profile and promote its vision and objectives on the global stage.