Unity, cooperation, and alignment in the process of taking decisive decisions for the future of the Mediterranean Movement dominated the proceedings of the ICMG Extraordinary General Assembly, which was chaired by the First Vice President and IOC Member, Mr. Mehrez Boussayene, due to the unexpected absence of President Davide Tizzano. The ICMG members extended their heartfelt wishes to the President for his speedy recovery and return to his duties.

The ICMG Members welcomed into the Mediterranean family the Cities of Portimão and Lagoa, who took part in the first official ICMG event held in the Algarve, represented by the Mayors of Portimão, Álvaro Bila, and Lagoa, Luís Encarnacao. Ms. Carla Silva, Vice President of the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth, represented the Government of the Portuguese Republic.

The President of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, Mr. Fernando Gomes, in his speech welcomed the Mediterranean family and stated: “At the Portuguese Olympic Committee, we consider hosting the 2027 Mediterranean Beach Games as an opportunity of great importance for the country, for the communities that will host them, and for the entire national sports movement. Undertaking the organization of these Games meant accepting a logistical, sporting, and cultural challenge, but also seizing a unique opportunity to showcase our country, our sea, our beautiful beaches, our federations, and our athletes internationally. On my behalf and on behalf of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, I would like to thank the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games, with whom we have built a highly productive cooperation. The trust they have shown in us is an additional source of motivation to fulfill the mission entrusted to us, in the best possible way.”

The Extraordinary General Assembly of the ICMG, in accordance with the fundamental statutory reforms adopted in 2023, unanimously defined and approved the new statutory framework and the amendments recommended by the Executive Committee, for the evolution and growth of the Mediterranean Sports Movement, based on the principles of transparency, sustainability, participation, financial stability and autonomy and above all of good governance, namely the values governing the modern Olympic Movement.

The ICMG Secretary General, Iakovos Filippousis, presented to the members of the General Assembly the activity report of the Executive Committee, which included, among other items:

• the awarding of the Order of Merit to the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and to the internationally renowned designer Boris Ljubičić, creator of the Mediterranean Games logo in 1978 and then official emblem of the Games;
• the Mediterranean Young Ambassadors Programme, which will be implemented for the first time at the Taranto 2026 Games and aims to further raise awareness and promote the Values of the Mediterranean Games among the Youth of the Mediterranean basin;
• the new corporate image and identity of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games, based on the design and applications of Boris Ljubičić;
• the anniversary logo created to mark in 2026 the 75th anniversary since the first edition of the Mediterranean Games, held in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1951;
• the Executive Committee’s decision to officially open the expression of interest procedure for hosting the 2034 Mediterranean Games, as well as the 2029, 2031, and 2033 Mediterranean Beach Games.

In this context, the members of the ICMG were informed of the written expression of interest submitted by the Mayor of Split, Croatia, Mr. Tomislav Šuta, for the City to host the 2029 Mediterranean Beach Games and the 2034 Mediterranean Games editions.

On the occasion of the Extraordinary General Assembly, the Organizing Committees of the upcoming editions of the MG and MBG presented their preparation status and progress.

Portimão–Lagoa 2027 Organizing Committee unveiled the official Games logo and presented its proposal for the sports programme.

Pristina 2030 Organizing Committee presented the official website and the key principles of the Games’ master plan, which will be presented in detail during the upcoming visit of the Coordination Commission in December.

Finally, the representatives of the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games Organizing Committee presented their proposal for the allocation of the Mediterranean Village, with a capacity of 5,200 beds, at the city’s Military Naval Base, confirmed that all athletes and delegations will be accommodated at the Mediterranean Village, presented the Games budget, the sport pictograms, the visa procedures, the strategic transportation plan and promised that the Games master plan will be sent immediately to the ICMG for evaluation.

The ICMG Executive Committee informed the General Assembly members of the completion of the sports program, which will be officially sent by the ICMG, in full detail, to the NOCs and all Games stakeholders. It includes 31 sports, among them rhythmic gymnastics.

Given the significant delays in key areas of preparation—such as technology, broadcasting/ production, the anti-doping testing program, accommodation for participants, VIPs, guests and other stakeholders, etc.—according to the reports of both the Coordination and the Executive Committee, the General Assembly unanimously transferred its broader powers to the Executive Committee and authorized it to take immediate and necessary decisions, assume initiatives, and carry out actions that will ensure the smooth organization of the Games. In this context, a relevant resolution will be sent to all the stakeholders of the Games in Italy. An updated technical timeline will be also compiled and must be implemented by the Organizing Committee by March,15^th 2026.

On behalf of the ICMG Executive Committee, the Chairman of the General Assembly Mr. Mehrez Boussayene expressed finally its gratitude to the National Olympic Committees of the Mediterranean basin for their unwavering support and trust in the Executive Committee administration, to the National Olympic Committee of Portugal for the outstanding contribution to the organization of the ICMG General Assembly, as well as to the Municipalities of Portimão and Lagoa for their exceptional hospitality to our Mediterranean Family.