Euro-Med Economic & Banking Summit 2023
- The UfM Secretary-General was a guest speaker at the Opening Ceremony of the Euro-Med Economic & Banking Summit 2023. This was the occasion for him to share his views on economic sustainability in the Euro-Mediterranean region and to recall the role of the UfM in tackling climate change.
- Secretary-General Kamel partook in several bilateral meetings, including with with Mrs. Catherine Colonna, French Minister of European and Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Hélène Le Gal, Managing Director for MENA at EEAS, Mr. Karim Amellal, Ambassador for the Mediterranean and UfM Senior Official, and Mr. Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser, and Sherpa to the President of the French Republic.
Paris. 24-26 May 2023 – The UfM Secretary General gave a Keynote Speech during the Opening Ceremony of the Euro-Med Economic & Banking Summit 2023, introducing the debate entitled: “For a Sustainable Euro-Mediterranean Economic Relationship”. He highlighted the importance of the Summit, held in the aftermath of several profound global disruptions and intensifying climate change threats. He further shared some reflections on economic sustainability in the Euro-Mediterranean region and the extent to which banks would need to mobilize their resources and urge their creativity even further to play a key role in financing the transition to a low-carbon economy. As he recalled: “Sustainable finance has been assuming an increasing share of banking business, with a considerable growth in the volume of green bonds, sustainability bonds and social bonds”.
On the margins of the conference, UfM Secretary General had the opportunity to meet bilaterally with Mrs. Catherine Colonna, French Minister of European and Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, Minister Colonna expressed her full support to the UfM, and her will to strengthen its rôle as the sole multilateral framework in the region. They also discussed upcoming Mediterranean rendez-vous, such as the MED9 meeting in Malta (September) and the UfM Regional Forum (November).
The UfM Secretary General had also the occasion to meet with Mrs. Hélène Le Gal, Managing Director for MENA at the External Action Service of the European Union, to debrief on the UfM Senior Officials retreat held two days before in Barcelona and aimed at discussing the role and functioning of the organization, 15 years after its launch.
Finally, the Secretary General hold also a meeting with Mr. Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser, and Sherpa to the President of the French Republic. The counselor underlined the importance of celebrating the organization’s 15th anniversary, as it constitutes a crucial moment to talk about Mediterranean issues and provide perspectives. He reaffirmed his support to the UfM and its Secretariat, considering the organization as a meeting point between major initiatives and smaller projects on the ground. Mr. Emmanuel Bonne recalled France’s main priorities in the region, such as the fight against global warming and the preservation of the environment, economic development, and the circulation of skills. He stressed the role that the UfM has in all these issues affecting the Mediterranean. At last, Secretary-General Nasser Kamel briefed the Counselor of the President on the Blue Mediterranean Partnership and thanked France for its involvement in this innovative instrument.
