- Representatives from the 43 Member States of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) convened in Barcelona for the 10th Regional Forum, reaffirming their commitment to tackle shared challenges and deepen Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
- The ministerial meeting was co-chaired by Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, and Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, with the participation of Nasser Kamel, UfM Secretary General, and Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean. It was hosted by José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation of Spain.
- UfM Ministers approved a new Strategic Vision for the organisation, focused on connecting people, economies and countries.
- At the margins of the Forum the EU Pact for the Mediterranean secured political support from EU Member States and their Southern Mediterranean partners.
- UfM Ministers endorsed the designation of Córdoba (Spain) and Saida (Lebanon) as 2027 Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue.
22 - 28 NOV 2025
Barcelona
UfM Foreign Ministers reaffirm commitment and adopt a new Strategic Vision on the 30th Anniversary of the Barcelona Process
Barcelona, 28 November 2025. Representatives from the 43 UfM Member States marked an important milestone at the 10th UfM Regional Forum in Barcelona, convened under the Anniversary theme “Together for a Stronger Euro-Mediterranean Partnership”. Demonstrating unity amid regional challenges, Ministers stressed that the Mediterranean must remain a shared space of peace, prosperity and mutual understanding – and that multilateralism is not optional, but essential.
They reaffirmed the continued relevance of the Barcelona Process and endorsed a new Strategic Vision for the UfM, shaped through broad regional consultations, to guide UfM action over the next years. This strategic framework is built on three interconnected pillars: connecting people through education, youth mobility, skills development, gender equality and social inclusion; connecting countries by strengthening dialogue, climate resilience, water and energy security, and crisis preparedness; and connecting economies by boosting trade, digital cooperation, sustainable infrastructure and green investment.
In the framework of the Regional Forum, UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel, and Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, signed a new Headquarters Agreement between Spain and the Union for the Mediterranean. The new Headquarters Agreement provides greater clarity regarding the UfM status as an international organisation, aligns it with global best practices, and strengthens UfM capacity to fulfil its mission.
The new Strategic Vision and Headquarters Agreement position the UfM as the central platform for delivering collective solutions to shared challenges, from climate change and water scarcity to youth unemployment and post-crisis recovery. As the Barcelona Process enters its fourth decade and the UfM Secretariat turns 15, today’s decisions signal a renewed pact among Mediterranean peoples for peace, stability and shared prosperity.
n the margins of the Forum, the official launch of the EU Pact for the Mediterranean reflected a reinforced political and financial commitment by the European Union and Southern Mediterranean countries to advance common priorities: green transition, digital transformation, human capital and regional stability.
The UfM Ministerial Meeting capped a landmark week in Barcelona, featuring high-impact side events bringing together heads of regional authorities, mayors, civil society, scientists, cooperation experts and youth from across the region. From wildfire preparedness and climate action to cultural dialogue, regional resilience and social inclusion, stakeholders converged on one message: the future of the Mediterranean must be co-created across borders and sectors.
“Thirty years on, the Barcelona Process remains a cornerstone of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. Today, we renew our shared vision for a Mediterranean of peace, prosperity and solidarity. This is the compass I will hand to my successor: connect people, connect economies, connect countries. After seven years at the UfM, I leave it stronger, more ambitious and more resilient, inspired by the courage of our youth, the dedication of women and men across the region, and the innovation of entrepreneurs and emerging leaders. Cooperation is not optional — it is the only way to guarantee peace and shared prosperity in our region”, said UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel.
Ministers also endorsed the selection of Córdoba (Spain) and Saida (Lebanon) as the 2027 Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue. Throughout 2027, the two cities will host a vibrant program of cultural and civic events designed to foster exchange and understanding across the region. This initiative, jointly led with the Anna Lindh Foundation, spotlights sustainability, gender equality, digital inclusion and the safeguarding of both tangible and intangible heritage – fully aligned with the UfM’s priorities for a more inclusive and resilient Mediterranean.
22 November - Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Regions. Palau de Pedralbes, Barcelona
30 Years of the Barcelona Process. The regional and local vision of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation
The Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Regions, held alongside the General Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), convened high-level regional representatives and key stakeholders to discuss the new landscape of cooperation under the EU’s New Pact for the Mediterranean.
The summit provided a platform for regions to articulate priorities, align positions, and adopt a Joint Declaration, reinforcing their role in shaping the Mediterranean’s future.
Organisers: Government of Catalunya in collaboration with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)
25-26 November – 2nd Euro-Mediterranean Workshop on Wildfires. EU Representative Office in Barcelona
As wildfires seasons across the Mediterranean grow longer and more unpredictable, this workshop convened operational services, scientists, civil protection authorities, and policy actors to share lessons learned, align early-warning systems, and strengthen preparedness, response, and regional coordination.
The aim is to accelerate practical cooperation across the Euro-Mediterranean area, including cross-border frameworks that complement and integrate with the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), while also promoting the use of cutting-edge technologies—from satellite services to AI-driven modelling—in risk analysis and emergency operations
Organisers: European Commission (DG-ECHO), Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), PPRD Mediterranean and OSA
26 November – Euro-Mediterranean Civil Society Conference 2025
From vision to action: Reinforcing Civil Society engagement for an inclusive Mediterranean
Marking 30 years of the Barcelona Process, the Euro-Mediterranean Civil Society Conference 2025 brought together over 100 regional and institutional representatives to reinforce civil society’s role in shaping an inclusive and sustainable Mediterranean.
Against the backdrop of pressing regional challenges, including climate risks, social justice, and economic integration, the event launched an ongoing dialogue to transform shared insights into lasting cooperation, advancing people- centred governance, institutional collaboration, and long-term sustainability for a Mediterranean built not just for its people, but with them.
Organisers: European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and Government of Catalonia
26-27 November - Conference of Mediterranean Cities – Barcelona+30. Barcelona City Council and Palau de Pedralbes, Barcelona.
Barcelona+30: Empowering local action for regional transformation
In the spirit of its previous editions, the Conference of Mediterranean Cities brought together mayors and representatives of local authorities to engage with civil society, academia, and socio-economic actors. The conference served as a platform to share experiences, align priorities, and advocate for a stronger role for cities in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
Building on 30 years of the Barcelona Process, the Conference explored future pathways to strengthen the engagement of local authorities in upcoming regional agendas and initiatives.
Held alongside MedCities’ Annual General Assembly, the event aimed to maximise engagement and foster inclusive, forward-looking collaboration across the region.
Organisers: Barcelona City Council, MedCities, European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) and the Diputació of Barcelona, in collaboration with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)
27 November – Regional Resilience and Recovery - Advancing Collective Responses to Crisis: Building a Resilient Mediterranean through Strategic Partnerships. Palau de Pedralbes, Barcelona.
The Mediterranean faces growing, interconnected challenges—from climate-induced disasters to protracted conflicts and resource pressures—that call for a coordinated regional response and stronger partnerships with neighbouring regions. This event examined how the Union for the Mediterranean can advance an integrated resilience agenda, connecting prevention, adaptation, and mitigation.
By engaging partners from the Gulf region, the discussion helped identify shared priorities, strengthen coordination and policy alignment, and promote sustainable post-crises recovery and resource management to build long-term resilience across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Organisers: Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)
28 November – Meeting of UfM Foreign Affairs Ministers. Palau de Pedralbes, Barcelona
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Union for the Mediterranean gathered in Barcelona to address the region’s most pressing challenges — notably the alarming situation in the Middle East — and to reflect on the future of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. Marking the 30th Anniversary of the Barcelona Process, the meeting served as an opportunity to endorse the UfM’s new strategic vision.
The Meeting was chaired by Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, alongside Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan,
in the presence of Nasser Kamel, the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean. The Ministerial Meeting was hosted by José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain.
Organisers: UfM Co-Presidency (EU and Jordan), UfM Secretariat and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation of Spain
On the sidelines of the UfM Regional Forum, a high-level launch event for the new EU Pact for the Mediterranean was held, bringing together EU Member States and the EU Southern Neighbourhood.
28 November – Cultural Commemoration 30th Anniversary of Barcelona Process / Day of the Mediterranean. Palau de la Música, Barcelona
This year’s Day of the Mediterranean cultural act commemorated the 30th Anniversary of the Barcelona Process, highlighting culture as a bridge of understanding across the region. The programme featured Manuel de Falla’s masterpiece El Amor Brujo, performed by the Camerata Penedès under renowned violinist Elena Rey, with acclaimed flamenco singer Mayte Martín.
Opening the cultural act, Syrian oud player Gani Mirzo and Syrian-Catalan actress Manar Taljo performed Arab musical pieces and recite poems by Mediterranean women poets, blending flamenco, Arab, and Romani traditions into a moving expression of dialogue, connection and hope for a peaceful Mediterranean.
Organisers: European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Barcelona City Council, Government of Catalonia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation of Spain
