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Union for the Mediterranean – UfMUnion for the Mediterranean – UfMUnion for the Mediterranean – UfMUnion for the Mediterranean – UfM     Mediterranean Day
  • Who we are
    • Who we are

      The Union for the Mediterranean is an intergovernmental institution bringing together the European Union Member States and 16 countries from the Southern and Eastern shores of the Mediterranean to promote dialogue and cooperation.

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      UfM Annual Report 2022 Regional Integration
  • What we do
    • Notre action

      The UfM seeks to enhance regional cooperation, dialogue and the implementation of concrete projects and initiatives with tangible impact on our citizens to address three strategic objectives: human development, stability and integration.

      Overview   

    • Inclusive Development

      • Economic Development and Employment
      • Higher Education & Research
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      Sustainable development

      • Water, Environment and Blue Economy
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      • Energy & Climate Action
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      • Political Framework
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  • Work with us
    • The UfM Secretariat is the operational platform of the Union for the Mediterranean. The staff of the UfM is made of more than 17 nationalities working in a multicultural environment that fosters cooperation and intercultural communication and exchange.

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      Find our latest press releases, press invitations, visual identity, key institutional documents, photos and other relevant information


      Download the UfM Visual Identity Guidelines and Logos (zip file)   

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    • UfM in the Media

      5 June 2023 – ABC Antropía – Día Mundial del Medioambiente / Un trozo de España en el Ártico: El viaje sin fin del plástico
      View article
      17 February 2023 – La Tribune Afrique – Nasser Kamel : « L’Europe doit regarder de près l’idée d’emmener ses centres d’approvisionnement en Afrique »
      View article
      28 March 2023 – Il sole 24 ore – Anna Dorangricchia (UfM) on women entrepreneurs in MENA region
      View article
      See more
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Annual Report 2018

10
years
of building regional cooperation together
DOWNLOAD ANNUAL REPORT

Message of the Secretary General

Enhancing political dialogue

Reinforcing UfM capacity for action

10 years, 10 stories

Priority Areas

10 years of action

































Message from the Secretary General

Nasser Kamel

READ THE MESSAGE
VISIT THE SG PAGE

Enhancing political dialogue

across the Euro-Mediterranean region

The Euro-Mediterranean region has faced unprecedented challenges to its stability and security over the last few decades. One of the primary goals of the UfM is to strengthen political dialogue amongst its 43 member states with a view to building peace, security and stability in the region.

Renewing political commitments:
the 3rd UfM Regional Forum

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Partnerships for sustainable development

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Consolidating

the UfM’s capacity for action

Having endorsed 54 projects to date, UfM Member States have adopted a proposal by the Secretariat on the reform of the UfM label to reinforce the value that the organisation brings. The aim is to make the label clearer, more present, and more effective.

The reform of the UfM label aims to:

Ensure strong political support from UfM Member States to labelled projects

Strengthen the regional dimension of UfM labelled projects

Reinforce the capacity of the UfM Secretariat to help kick-start and broker finance for labelled projects

Strengthen the value of the label through periodical reviews of each labelled project

Reinforce communication efforts on labelled project

The UfM has developed a structured long-term strategy, which involves building partnerships with some of the region’s major donors.

10 years,
10 stories

In 2008, the Euro-Mediterranean Heads of States and Government launched the Union for the Mediterranean in Paris. Read 10 selected success stories from across the Mediterranean of these 10 years of action.

Combatting plastic pollution in the Mediterranean
– Cristina Fossi

Youth at the forefront of climate action
– Hajar Khamlichi

Drinking water for 2M Palestinian inhabitants – Mazen Ghunaim, Minister of Water of Palestine

Empowering women
– Lina Khalifeh

Forming Responsible Citizens
– Amara Ben Romdhane

Bridging the skills gap to create employment
– Sara El Khal

Giving school drop-outs
a second chance – Begoña Gasch

Enhancing skills for success
– Fatima Al Annan

Towards a Mediterranean Urban Agenda – Corina Creţu, European Commissioner for Regional Policy

Fostering a sustainable energy transition
– Admir Softic

Women's empowerment

All over the world, an unprecedented upsurge of movements has marked a historic turning point in the fight for women’s rights and equality, and the Euro-Mediterranean region is no exception. In support of this momentum, the UfM launched a shared Euro-Mediterranean agenda at the Ministerial Conference in Cairo (November, 2017). The agenda aims to increase women’s leadership and political participation, enhance women’s economic empowerment, combat all forms of violence against women and girls, and end gender stereotypes.

In 2018, the UfM Secretariat gathered key stakeholders from the region to outline the next steps for implementing these ambitious commitments, in line with the 2030 Agenda.

Read more

Highlights

4th UfM Women Conference: building inclusive societies

“Promoting Women’s Empowerment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development in the MENA Region” Project

Ensuring healthy lives for all: Women’s Right to Health project (WoRTH).

Highlights

Concrete steps towards the UfM Urban Agenda: Addressing affordable and sustainable housing needs

Reinforcing the creation of smart cities in the Mediterranean

Urban
Development

The Mediterranean region is characterised by one of the fastest urbanisation rates worldwide, with almost 60% of the total population already living in urban areas. By 2030, nearly 80% of the Southern Mediterranean population will be concentrated on just 10% of the land, predominantly on the coast.

Rapid urbanisation calls for a bottom-up approach and region-wide solutions, as well as the mobilisation of all actors, to address an increasing number of demographic, socio-economic, environmental and technological challenges both at local and regional levels.

Read more

Energy

It is widely accepted that moving to a sustainable, low-carbon economy cannot be achieved by central governments alone. As a shared, global responsibility, all actors in society need to be involved, from local authorities to the private sector and civil society.

Through its multi-stakeholder approach, the UfM facilitates a permanent dialogue between countries and non-governmental actors, providing a framework to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and regional objectives in a coordinated and coherent way.

In 2018, the UfM Secretariat continued to deepen regional dialogue through the UfM Energy Platforms. It also participated in public initiatives, working closely with the private sector and local authorities to enhance their involvement.

Read more

Highlights

UfM Energy Platforms: towards a sustainable Energy Transition in the Mediterranean

Promoting grassroots action for global impact

Stimulating private investments in renewable energy markets: SEMed Private Renewable Energy Framework (SPREF)

Highlights

Promoting trade for a strengthened regional economic integration: UfM Trade Ministerial Conference

Creativity as a tool for regional cooperation: Creative Forum In Ljubljana

Trade and investment

The Euro-Mediterranean region has one of the lowest levels of regional integration in the ‎world. Indeed, a study commissioned by the UfM Secretariat has shown that, out of all trade flows ‎occurring in the region, 90 per cent are within the European Union, 9 per cent between the ‎North and the South, and only 1 per cent among southern and eastern Mediterranean ‎countries themselves.

In this sense, the UfM Secretariat continued in 2018 to encourage a stronger contribution from the private sector in regional integration efforts. It particularly aimed at enhancing trade ‎and investment to promote inclusive growth, with a special focus on ‎sustainability, socio-economic inclusion, and the empowerment of women and young people.

Read more

Higher Education

The UfM region counts over 30 million university students, and by 2030, gross enrolment rates in higher education are foreseen to rise up to 40%. The “youth bulge” in the region is changing dramatically its educational outlook, yet efforts are still not matching the ambition of numerous young Mediterranean people, despite that the current generation remains the most educated ever in the Southern Mediterranean.

One of the reasons for such levels of unemployment for youth and in particular for university graduates is a persistent gap between the skills acquired in the education system and the requirements of business. Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) are therefore key priorities in the Mediterranean region, hence in the UfM agenda.

Read more

Highlights

Building a new Euro-Mediterranean generation: The EuroMed University of Fes (UEMF) and the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI)

Everybody deserves a second chance: MedNC project

Highlights

Towards a new regional action plan on transport connectivity: UfM Regional Platform on Transport Connectivity

Knowledge sharing to drive competitive
maritime sector: zoom on Translogmed project

Ensuring road safety in the Euro-Mediterranean region

Transport

Historically an area of exchanges and interconnections, the Euro-Mediterranean area holds enormous potential in terms of regional integration. Facilitating the movements of goods and individuals in the region could significantly contribute to unleashing this potential, leading to increased prosperity and socio-economic development.

Acknowledging these opportunities, the UfM Secretariat is working towards comprehensive transport connectivity in the region, in line with the 2013 UfM Transport Ministerial Declaration and the ensuing Regional Transport Action Plan for the Mediterranean (2014-2020).

Read more

Youth

Never before has the world been home to so many young people. At 1.8 billion, this generation represents an unprecedented potential for global economic and social progress.

With over 60% of its population under the age of 30, the Euro-Mediterranean is one of the youngest regions in the world. The UfM has therefore placed youth at the heart of its actions, focusing on building a positive agenda for youth in the Mediterranean and engaging young people as full partners in its activities.

Read more

Highlights

The next generation leading the way on climate change

Youth and women – protagonists of peaceful societies: Forming Responsible Citizens project

Young mediterraneans in action: 1st Youth Forum for the Mediterranean

Highlights

Towards the biggest infrastructure project in Gaza

Improving water management, improving lives: the UfM Water Agenda

Water

The Mediterranean region is one of the most water-scarce areas in the world, with more than 180 million people living in circumstances where the water conditions are considered poor, and an additional 60 million facing water stress. Moreover, water quality is another factor posing major problems to water users and the sustainability of our ecosystems.

Developing initiatives to bolster water security in the Mediterranean through regional partnerships and sustainable cooperation mechanisms is needed to reverse this downward spiral. The adoption of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) as a holistic approach is of capital importance to achieve economic and social welfare. The UfM is currently working on 23 sustainable development initiatives, 10 of which are specifically water related. Meanwhile, ministers from the UfM member states agreed in 2017 to develop a UfM Water Agenda to help countries implement sustainable and integrated water management policies.

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Climate Action

The Mediterranean region is one of the world’s climate change hotspots where, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), ‎ the limit of a rise in temperature of 1.5ºC set by the Paris Agreement is already being exceeded.

Shared Mediterranean climate action is therefore crucial. Urgent policies are needed to mitigate the consequences of climate change and consider adaptation options. Yet, currently, the lack of adequate information is delaying the process.

Aware of this challenge, the UfM supports a dedicated regional effort to gather existing scientific knowledge and provide a better understanding of the risks posed.

Read more

Highlights

The UfM Climate Week: coming together for climate action

The UfM at the COP24

Highlights

Med4Jobs Stakeholders’ Dialogue: youth at centre stage

Employment at the heart of plans
for the region

Employment

The Euro-Mediterranean region has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, affecting mostly young people and women, making job creation a pressing priority for UfM countries. ‎Inclusive, sustainable and decent employment for all has thus acquired a priority position in ‎policymaking in the region, being indispensable for economic ‎growth, social cohesion and poverty eradication.‎

In this context, the ‎UfM aims to develop employment opportunities and promote inclusive growth in ‎the Euro-Mediterranean region, addressing ‎youth employability and women’s socio-economic empowerment with a particular ‎focus on the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Read more

Research and innovation

Research and innovation are vital for inclusive human progress. Research offers policymakers scientific grounds for decisions based on data and hard facts. It helps us to understand the world’s problems, and plays a key role in moving towards a sustainable future. Meanwhile, innovation helps bridge the gap between economic activities and respect for the environment, unlocking the potential of sustainable growth.

In view of its importance, the UfM enhances regional cooperation on research and innovation as a means of achieving its objectives of human and sustainable development, and as a way to push forward regional, scientific diplomacy.

Read more

Highlights

Understanding the deep roots of migration: Forum on Agriculture, Rural Development and Migrations in the Mediterranean

Advancing research and skills for a blue economy in the Mediterranean: the BlueMed Week

Supporting employability in food security and rural development: 2nd Mediterranean Forum on “Research and Innovation: Tools for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security”

Highlights

Plastic Busters for a litter free Mediterranean

A sea of opportunities: The WestMED countries adopt roadmap to develop sustainable blue economy

Environment and blue economy

The Mediterranean region is one of the world’s 25 climate change hotspots, facing environmental threats to its biodiversity, natural resources and habitable areas. Furthermore, millions of marine animals die every year because of polluted oceans, while 18% of Mediterranean species are already threatened with extinction.

Aware of this pressing issue, the UfM has adopted a cross-sectoral, region-wide approach, facilitating dialogue to ensure the coherence of policies developed in the region to address these common challenges.

Read more

2018, a year in action

UfM 2018: A year in action

Who we are

  • Member States
  • Meet the team
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  • History

What we do

  • Economic Development & Employment
  • Higher Education & Research
  • Social & Civil Affairs
  • Water, Environment and Blue Economy
  • Transport & Urban Development
  • Energy & Climate Action

How we work

  • Political Framework
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Work with us

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  • Who we are
    • Member States
    • Meet the team
    • Partners
    • History
  • What we do
    • Economic Development and Employment
    • Higher Education & Research
    • Social & Civil Affairs
    • Water, Environment and Blue Economy
    • Transport & Urban Development
    • Energy & Climate Action
  • How we work
    • Political Framework
    • Regional Dialogue Platforms
    • Projects and Initiatives
  • Work with us
    • Vacancies
    • Secondments
    • Internships
    • Procurement
    • Roster of experts
  • Info centre
    • Media center
    • News
    • Agenda
    • Publications and key documents
  • Contact
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Union for the Mediterranean – UfM
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