Barcelona, 5 June 2026. The Union for the Mediterranean continues to drive forward the regional scientific agenda with two pivotal meetings held this week: the Extraordinary Session of the UfM Regional Platform on Research and Innovation on June 1, and the Regional Roundtable on the Euro-Mediterranean Scalability Strategy on June 4. These gatherings mark a critical step in translating academic research into actionable policy and market-ready solutions across the region. During the Extraordinary Session, UfM Deputy Secretary-General for Human Development, Petra Kežman, highlighted the region’s demographic shifts and the critical role of scientific cooperation. “Science has built bridges across millennia…. read more
Paris, 4 June 2026 – Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Secretary General Nasser Kamel met with UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, marking the beginning of a new phase of strategic cooperation between the two organisations. Against a backdrop of growing challenges and transformations across the Mediterranean, they agreed on a structured partnership, capable of delivering greater impact for people and peace across the Mediterranean region. The meeting confirmed the strong convergence between UNESCO’s global mandate and the UfM’s regional priorities, particularly in higher education, science, research and heritage. Both leaders underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation to advance… read more
2 June 2026, Brussels. The Union for the Mediterranean’s newly appointed Deputy Secretaries General met today with European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica in Brussels, reaffirming their shared commitment to a stronger Mediterranean through enhanced regional cooperation and the implementation of the Pact for the Mediterranean. The meeting took place as the UfM embarks on an ambitious reform agenda, with a new leadership team now in place to strengthen the organisation’s impact, delivery capacity and regional role. Discussions underlined the complementarity between the Pact for the Mediterranean and the UfM Vision Statement, both of which aim to advance a more… read more
UfM Member States and interlocutors convened in Brussels to discuss current initiatives and current work within the framework of the Pact for the Mediterranean, including UfM activities, prominently the 2026 UfM Economic Forum and the outreach to the private sector in relation to regional integration. Several Member States presented best practices and undergoing initiatives aimed at trade facilitation, investment promotion and value chain integration across the region. Brussels, 3 June 2026. The 11th meeting of the UfM Regional Platform on Trade, Investment and Industry was held in Brussels, bringing together national focal points from 27 UfM Member States that discussed EU initiatives and EU-funded… read more
Online, 4 June 2026 – The first meeting of the UfM Regional Task Force on Innovation for Women in Agro-Food Value Chains brought together 25 representatives from regional and international organisations, development partners, and technical institutions to officially launch a new coordination mechanism supporting innovation and women’s economic empowerment in agro-food across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Established by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in partnership with CIHEAM, FAO and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Regional Task Force counts with the active membership of CGIAR, BETA Technological Centre, Berytech Foundation, PRIMA, AUC CEI, CAWTAR, and MEDWAVES. It… read more
Average temperature increases in the region, a climate change hotspot warming 20% faster than the global average, have already surpassed the 1.5ºC limit set by the Paris Agreement according to the UfM-supported Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC). Climate change acts as a threat multiplier by exacerbating existing social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities. While mitigation and adaptation efforts currently in place are still “insufficient for liveable futures,” the green transition offers ample opportunity for improvement. The potential of cross-Mediterranean renewable energy exchanges is one key domain identified in the latest UfM-OECD Regional Integration Report. The UfM is currently… read more
The UfM brought together 50 experts and actors from both shores of the Euro-Mediterranean Region in Antalya to share best practices and ongoing efforts to promote digital skills, digital jobs, and e-governance solutions in the region. The Conference introduced the participants to the initiatives underway in Türkiye and gave the floor to participants to share best practices and success stories involving Governments, Private Sector, and Academia from Albania, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Türkiye, and other UfM countries. 20-21 May 2026, Antalya – This year’s edition of the UfM Digital Transformation Conference, co-organised with the Chambers of Commerce of Antalya… read more
Barcelona, 21 May 2026. Applications are now open for the first cohort of the Research to Business (R2B) Programme, a 24-month regional initiative supporting applied research teams across the Mediterranean in transforming scientific knowledge and discoveries into market-ready innovations. Initiated by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in partnership with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and aligned with the UfM Research and Innovation agenda and the 2022 UfM Ministerial Declaration on Research and Innovation, the programme is led by Berytech, in partnership with ANIMA Investment Network and the University of Barcelona. The programme responds to a shared… read more
Online, 12 May 2026 – The UfM Regional Platform on Women Empowerment brought together 60 representatives of 26 UfM Member States, EU institutions, international organisations and regional stakeholders to discuss progress on the implementation of the 2022 5th UfM Ministerial Declaration on Strengthening the Role of Women in Society and prepare the ground for the in-person Regional Platform meeting planned for November 2026 in Barcelona. The meeting provided a platform for regional policy dialogue and exchange on gender equality priorities and concrete strategies across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Discussions took place in the context of evolving regional and global frameworks, including… read more
Tetouan, 29 April 2026 – The Union for the Mediterranean took part in the official inauguration of Tetouan as Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026, an initiative celebrating the city’s cultural heritage and its role in strengthening dialogue across the Euro-Mediterranean region. The event was chaired by Morocco’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Communication, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, alongside local authorities, the Anna Lindh Foundation, and representatives of Matera, also designated Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue for 2026. The Union for the Mediterranean was represented by Kamal El Mahdaoui, Senior Political Advisor in the Cabinet of the Secretary General…. read more
