UfM deepens engagement with policymakers and the private sector on multilateral trade and investment policy

• This second Study Visit on International Trade and Investment Policy is aimed at reinforcing a viable pathway towards greater regional economic integration, equipping UfM partners with the policy tools and institutional knowledge to advance sustainable investment and trade resilience.

Geneva, 16–18 June 2026. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has successfully concluded its second Study Visit on International Trade and Investment Policy, held from 16 to 18 June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. Organized in partnership with the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and World Trade Organization (WTO), the study visit brought together policymakers, private sector and youth representatives from UfM Member States to engage in high-level discussions on the multilateral trade and investment policy landscape. The visit supports the UfM Regional Platform on Trade, Investment and Industry efforts to strengthen regional cooperation.

The visit reinforced the strategic importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing the region’s structural economic challenges. The Euro-Mediterranean region continues to be affected by skewed trade flows, limited south-south integration, and uneven investment attraction. Against the backdrop of the digital and green transitions reshaping global competitiveness, participants underscored the need for more balanced investment frameworks, stronger services trade policies, and greater regulatory convergence to unlock the region’s growth potential.

Building on the first edition’s outcomes, this second visit addressed a broader and more advanced set of themes ranging from e-commerce readiness and digital economy strategies, trade in services and servicification for economic diversification, global trends in International Investment Agreements (IIAs) and investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) reform to investment facilitation for development, and the outcomes of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14). Through expert-led presentations, focus group discussions, and practical case studies, participants gained actionable insights into policy formulation and implementation across all thematic tracks.

As a key outcome, the UfM Secretariat will integrate the insights and recommendations gathered during the visit into its future trade and investment initiatives. The study visit is expected to further strengthen collaboration between UfM Member States and international trade institutions, paving the way for deeper regional economic integration and more resilient investment strategies. The findings will directly feed into the upcoming UfM Economic Forum in Cairo, Egypt 20 October 2026). And the UfM Regional Workshop on Digital Trade and E-Commerce in the MENA Region.

The UfM remains committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable trade and investment policies across the region. Building on the success of the two study visits, the UfM Secretariat will continue to facilitate dialogue, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building programmes to support regional economic growth, integration, and resilience.