The UfM in action: acting today for a sustainable tomorrow

With a projected 60% rise in energy demand in Southern Mediterranean countries alone by 2040, the region is prioritising a just energy transition. In 2023, notable events like the 3rd Energy and Climate Business Forum stressed the need for regional cooperation and private sector engagement in achieving sustainability. To contribute to this green transition, initiatives such as the UfM Grant Scheme continue to promote sustainable and inclusive practices within the private sector through projects in Southern Mediterranean countries.

Mediterranean cities face unique challenges due to climate change impacts. To address these, initiatives like the Urban Solutions to Climate Change in the Mediterranean competition and a training course on citizen engagement in urban development aimed to harness youth innovation and community participation.

The economic and regional integration of the Euro-Mediterranean holds enormous potential in terms of growth and ensuring resilience against global challenges. As a result, we are committed to promoting and supporting regional integration through our policy frameworks, dialogue platforms and projects.

We have facilitated dialogue and conferences addressing economic integration challenges, such as the UfM Conference on Regional Integration and Regional Value Chains and the International Conference on Value Chains’ Regionalisation. These events underscored the importance of regulatory convergence, civil society engagement, and mainstreaming gender and environmental considerations into regional policies.

Our efforts also extend to youth empowerment and employment. Study visits to Swedish companies provided Southern Mediterranean professionals with insights into trade, development aid, and innovation ecosystems. Regional platforms and forums, like the UfM Community of Practice on Youth Employment, facilitate exchanges on best practices and support cooperation projects to address youth unemployment and skills development challenges.

Furthermore, the UfM Conference on Youth Entrepreneurship and the Future of Work emphasised cross-sectoral cooperation in promoting youth inclusion and entrepreneurial skills. Discussions highlighted the need for investment in startup ecosystems, bridging gender gaps, promoting diversity, and addressing regional stability for youth empowerment.

Through these and other initiatives, we aim to bridge economic and social divides, foster regional integration, and empower youth in the Mediterranean region.

Social inclusiveness and equality are essential elements in the socio-economic development of the Mediterranean region and social dialogue is a key mechanism through which civil society actors can influence economic and social policy. The UfM Social Dialogue Forum is held every three years, and the 2023 edition took a deep dive into critical issues for the Mediterranean region, including the green and digital transitions, active inclusion and effective social protection, and economic migration.

The issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment are also key in creating an inclusive society in the Mediterranean region. To this end, UfM and UNIDO joined forces to host the 7th Women Business Forum, focusing on the role of women in industry and innovation. In 2023, the UfM also organised a workshop on Gender Equality Plans in Higher Education. These, and other initiatives, such as a webinar on Women in Fintech addressed challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs and promoted gender-sensitive approaches in academia and the financial sector.

The Mediterranean Youth Academy provides a framework to hold events like the UfM Youth Engagement for a Sustainable Mediterranean conference, which addressed youth empowerment by focusing on climate action, youth employment, and social inclusion. By collaborating with institutions like the European Investment Bank (EIB), we aim to bridge education-employment gaps and provide training tailored to regional needs.

We engaged in dialogues with national governments and stakeholders with a view to addressing inequalities and promoting more inclusive policies for people with disabilities. Initiatives include collaboration with the Arab League and the ONCE Foundation, which culminated in the publication of a situational assessment and the planning of a Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Disability.

We have adopted a multifaceted approach to fostering social inclusiveness and equality, recognising the diverse challenges that need to be addressed and promoting innovative solutions to empower individuals and communities across the Mediterranean region.

Digital transformation will play a pivotal role in ensuring economic growth and job creation in the Mediterranean region.

In 2023, we partnered with German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the AfricaMed Business Forum for the annual UfM Conference on Digital Transformation. Held in Tangiers, Morocco, this event facilitated knowledge exchange and showcased success stories from various countries. Moreover, we have been organising national workshops in Southern Mediterranean countries to support their digital transition. These workshops provide a platform for exploring best practices and ideas, focusing on strategy development, legal frameworks, and digital skills enhancement.

With demand for water growing in the region, combined with the need for sustainable water management, digital transformation has emerged as a crucial element in the sector. To address this issue, we organised the 1st Conference on Digital Transformation of the Water Sector in the Mediterranean, providing a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge and explore innovative solutions for sustainable water management.

Gender equality in the digital era is another key action point. Therefore, at a webinar on Innovation and Technological Change for Gender Equality: Cracking the Code to Equity, successful women entrepreneurs shared good practices and discussed solutions for an inclusive digital ecosystem.

Regional disaster management cooperation will be key in strengthening Mediterranean resilience against natural and man-made disasters. Our commitment to reinforcing regional cooperation and increasing resilience in the region is reflected in the “Prevention, Preparedness and Response to natural and ‎man-made Disasters” (PPRD) Mediterranean programme, which is funded by the European Commission’s Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).

By fostering a culture of preparedness and proactive risk reduction, promoting cooperation and capacity building, aligning policy across the region, and increasing public awareness, the PPRD aims to increase resilience to disasters in Southern Neighbourhood countries and the Mediterranean region and seeks to develop a cohesive regional approach to disaster management.