ABRAHAM ACCORDS AND IMEC
HAIFA BAY AUTHORITIES APPOINT FRANK MELLOUL AS AMBASSADOR
1st of June, 2026 – In the context of the strengthening of the Abraham Accords and the profound economic and geopolitical transformations reshaping the region, the Haifa Bay Authorities have entrusted Frank Melloul with a strategic mission dedicated to public diplomacy and international outreach.
The Haifa Bay Authorities announce the appointment of Mr. Frank Melloul as Ambassador of the Cluster, with the mission of defining and leading its international public diplomacy strategy.
As part of this mission, Frank Melloul will bring his international expertise, strategic vision and recognized experience to support the positioning of the Haifa Bay Authorities. Through his commitment, he will contribute to strengthening the region’s international standing, promoting its dynamism, and supporting the advancement of the territory’s strategic objectives.
This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the region, as the Abraham Accords and the IMEC economic corridor (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) are opening new opportunities for regional, economic and geopolitical cooperation. The geographical position of Haifa Bay and northern Israel gives the region significant potential to serve as a central hub within this corridor.
Frank Melloul, Ambassador of the Haifa Bay Authorities:
“It is with a deep sense of honor that I accept this mission. Becoming the Ambassador of the Haifa Bay Authorities, at this particular moment in the region’s history, represents a unique responsibility. We are living through a historic turning point. The Abraham Accords have opened an unprecedented space for cooperation between the Port of Haifa and the wider world, while the IMEC corridor, linking India, the Middle East, and Europe, represents its most ambitious and promising economic expression. In this new geography, the Haifa Bay region is not one player among many: it is meant to become one of the strategic hubs of this corridor. Moreover, it brings together 52 Arab and Jewish local authorities, demonstrating every day that cooperation is not a promise, but a concrete reality. It is this dual message, economic opportunity and coexistence, that I am committed to carrying onto the international stage.”
Aharon Azulay, CEO of the Haifa Bay Authorities:
“We are delighted to welcome Frank Melloul and to count on his expertise for this major mission. Thanks to his experience and strategic vision, we are convinced that his mission will significantly contribute to the international outreach of the Haifa Bay region and to advancing its strategic ambitions at both the regional and global levels. Positioning the Haifa Bay Authorities at the heart of the region’s emerging geoeconomic dynamics is a key priority in our roadmap. Our diverse and multicultural territory provides a strong foundation for developing innovative partnership models on a global scale.”
Created in 2019, the Haifa Bay Authorities bring together 18 local authorities representing nearly 840,000 residents. The Cluster acts as a platform for regional coordination and action in key areas such as infrastructure, transportation, economic development, energy, sustainability and social services.
The Haifa Bay Authorities work to strengthen partnerships between local authorities, public institutions, the private sector and civil society in order to promote a shared vision for regional development.
Among its initiatives, the Haifa Bay Authorities established a Forum through which, in cooperation with the Galilee and Valleys Cluster and the Kinneret and Valleys Cluster, they bring together a regional network of 52 Arab and Jewish local authorities, embodying a unique model of regional cooperation and coexistence.
Under its leadership, the IMEC Information and Research Center was also created, dedicated to collecting data, research and analyses, while consolidating information from governmental, international and academic sources. The Authorities also launched the international “Next Bay” conference.