As part of the annual meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly's (ARLEM), which brings together local and regional government representatives from EU countries with their counterparts from the Mediterranean, ECR Members Dee Sharpe (Member of East Riding of Yorkshire Council) and David Simmonds (Councillor, London Borough of Hillingdon) met with the Governor of Giza, Egypt to share best-practices and find common solutions to challenges stemming from radicalization of youth to women empowerment.

Egypt is a sending, receiving, and transit country for both migrants and refugees. This makes Europe's current policy towards Egypt and its cities, such as Giza, the third largest Egyptian city, dominated by migration concerns. ECR Group Members exchanged ideas on how to involve local governments more closely in managing legal migration, and implementing capacity-building projects at local level so that people are helped in their places of origin or in their proximity.

Cllr Sharpe attended an informal meeting with Egyptian civil society organisations and had the opportunity to meet civil society actors actively involved in helping young people, including migrants, integrate into society. In her words, "Cities and regions have significant responsibilities in relation to young people, and the EU's local and regional authorities should share best practices in this field with southern Mediterranean partners".

Cllr Simmonds emphasised that the Mediterranean region has been facing an unprecedented flow of refugees and migrants and decentralised cooperation is crucial for exchanging experiences on the inclusion and integration of those who require help.