UfM-Sciences Po Conference: “cooperation is not the absence of conflicts but an instrument for managing them”
13 March 2024, Paris – The Mediterranean is more than ever at the heart of the political agenda. Indeed, with the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the rising tensions in the region, it becomes ever more challenging to continue efforts to strengthen Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and its sole multilateral framework: the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).
In that context, the UfM Secretariat joined forces with the Paris School of International Affairs of Sciences Po, leading university ranking amongst the top 3 institutions globally for “politics and international studies” since 2019, and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, to co-organise a conference entitled : regional cooperation in the face of global challenges – the case of the UfM.
The conference saw the participation of Arancha González, dean of PSIA and former Foreign Minister of Spain, Nasser Kamel, UfM Secretary General, Karim Amellal, French Interministerial Delegate for the Mediterranean, and Ghassan Salamé, Emeritus Professor at Sciences Po, and former UN Special Representative to Libya and Minister in Lebanon.
They discussed the role and functioning of cooperation and dialogue in times of crises and open conflicts, and explored ideas and perspectives on the work of the UfM, analysing the challenges facing the Euro-Mediterranean region today and proposing solutions for the future.
UfM Secretary General, Nasser Kamel, stated: «We have collectively succeeded in building trust and cultivating a culture of cooperation. As the only forum where our Member States come together to discuss issues of common interest, requiring their mutual coordination and efforts, they have learned to engage in dialogue, negotiate and reach agreements. This is where much of our work lies, and it’s where we have the most impact. Today, more than ever, we need this strength and this space to respond to regional crises.»
