The fifth edition of the MEDays 2012 Forum started on the theme: "The South, the requirement of a new world order". One hundred and fifty world leaders in the political, economic, and social fields, from the five continents, were present, including many current or former government officials (Lech Walesa, Eruesto Samper, Abdou Latif Coulibaly...). It is the largest international geostrategic forum in North Africa and one of the main forums on a global scale. A space for unprecedented dialogue and debate in the countries of the South, it contributes to developing North-South and South-South cooperation. It constitutes a platform for reflection and proposal of socio-economic development models for the countries of the South, but also for the management and prevention of conflicts. MEDays, indeed, is part of a delicate context this year of European crisis which strongly impacts global growth. The Arab Spring and political transitions in Africa also remind us of the importance of consolidating the rule of law and peace in the world. The debates focused for 3 days on stability in the Middle East and the Sahel, on economic issues (development strategies, North-South social dumping, Asia-Africa, etc.), and on sustainable development.

From Thursday to Saturday, several round tables, followed by debates, focused on economic and political subjects, on the situation of women and the energy problem, in the presence of high-ranking personalities such as Amr Moussa, former Secretary General of the Arab League, Thomas Stelzer, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, in charge of economic and social affairs, and José Luis Zapatero, former Spanish Prime Minister. For his part, Lech Walesa spoke about his experience in Poland and proposed the consolidation of the process of democracy and wealth sharing. Among the themes debated was the crisis of Moroccan sport. This theme was presented by former leaders and former athlete Nouzha Bidouane.

The speakers spoke about the flourishing past of mass and individual sports. They insisted on two points: the poor management of clubs and the lack of functioning of youth training centres, the absence of certain sports in schools, contrary to the past. The last day was devoted to the place of the female entrepreneur. The speakers insisted on the absence of parity between men and women, even if a great step has been taken in recent years.

There was also talk of rural women who suffer the dictates of underdevelopment. The speakers concluded with some recommendations, notably the strengthening and networking and the exchange of knowledge between women from different countries.

As every year, 4 prizes were awarded to personalities, institutions, organisations, or companies that have made a decisive contribution to the development of the countries of the South or have had a real impact in improving North-South or South-South relations. The MEDays Grand Prix was awarded to Senegal, the Business Prize to Karim Helal. The Prize for political initiative to Ms. Fawzia Koofi (Afghanistan) and the Prize for environment and sustainable development to Murat Mercan, Turkish Deputy Minister of Energy for his decisive role in environmental protection.