The UfM Regional Platform in Research and Innovation has approved new research agendas for the Mediterranean, on Climate Change, Health, and Renewable Energy. The Platform launched a call for a new ministerial meeting and the creation of an impactful implementation plan for its agendas. The UfM was also a partner in a workshop launching the Horizon Europe Programme in the Mediterranean. 7-8 July, Barcelona. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Platform in Research and Innovation (R&I) celebrated its 27th meeting on July 7, attended by representatives of Ministries of Research. The aim of the meeting was to discuss and… Lire la suite
The UfM promotes social dialogue between representatives of employers, workers and governments as a prerequisite to meaningful post-pandemic recovery in the region. With the economic difficulties facing private sector worldwide, and the slowing of employment and labour progress caused by the pandemic, there is a risk of neglecting such social dialogues in the short term. Enhancing the skills of the workforce must be a critical part of effective dialogue between all parties involved. Barcelona, 8 July 2021. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) today held a conference on “Social Dialogue with Social Partners” together with BUSINESSMED, the European Training Foundation… Lire la suite
Celebrating its 6th edition, and informed by 5 years of knowledge and experience, the Women Business Forum is an excellent regional platform that offers women-owned and women-led businesses a unique opportunity to take their business to the next level. Women face a persistent gender gap in terms of access to and use of digital technologies – a gap which increased from 19% to 24% between 2013 and 2019 in the Arab Countries. Technological changes, including digitalisation, have been accelerated by the COVID-19 health crisis. Now more than ever, we need to ensure that women are not left behind as… Lire la suite
Barcelona, 5 July 2021. UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel and Dr. Khalida Bouzar, UN Assistant Secretary General, UNDP Assistant Administrator & Regional Director for the Arab States met today in the headquarters of the UfM in Barcelona to discuss further cooperation between the UfM Secretariat and the UNDP. Both the UfM and the UNDP focus on further integrating economies through the promotion of trade and investment, encouraging climate action and sustainable models for growth, and supporting digital transformation whilst maintaining engagement on both women’s empowerment and employment, especially amongst young people. The Secretary General highlighted areas where both organizations are active and it was decided… Lire la suite
9-10 June 2021. The 8th meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Blue Economy Working Group took place online on 10th June, chaired by the European Commussion and Jordanian Co-Presidency, with the assistance of the UfM Secretariat. The meeting focused on the implementation of the UfM Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Blue Economy adopted in February 2021. Emphasis was placed on cooperation with stakeholders and financial institutions, the need for capacity building to support specific sectors within a broad Blue Economy approach, fighting unemployment, and supporting blue skills as enabler of growth. Furthermore, it was agreed to explore the possibility… Lire la suite
The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and Mobile World Capital Barcelona signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their collaboration and partnership on addressing the digital needs and challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean Region. The UfM region has witnessed a growing digital divide between and within both shores of the Mediterranean, with an alarming digital skills gap in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, and a dire need to bolster digital connectivity and entrepreneurship. Barcelona, 1 July 2021. Within the framework of the MWC Barcelona 2021, the UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel and Mobile World Capital Chief Executive Officer Carlos Grau signed… Lire la suite
The UfM held an online event “Young people against Hate Speech on Social Media” with the participation of young experts from the region to address the forms and practices of hate speech and discuss the necessary measures required to combat hate speech on social media. The UfM held this online event in collaboration with the Mediterranean Forum for Youth (FOMEJE) and Sustainable Cooperation for Peace and Security (SCAPS). Young experts on the theme from the region participated and enriched the debate by addressing the forms and practices of hate speech while exploring the necessary measures required in combating hate speech… Lire la suite
30 June 2021, Barcelona. The Conference of the Governors of Mediterranean Central Banks took place online on 28 June 2021. Organised by the Banco de España, the Central Bank of Tunisia, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), the conference tackled the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis across the Euro-Mediterranean area and a sustainable, inclusive, green and digital development agenda. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments across the Mediterranean to take severe measures to curtail socioeconomic activities, which has caused a substantial economic slowdown in many countries of the region. In… Lire la suite
Barcelone / Tanger – Lundi 28 juin 2021. Dans le cadre de la « Journée de la Méditerranée » qui sera célébrée pour la première fois le 28 novembre prochain, l’Union pour la Méditerranée collabore avec Radio Méditerranée Internationale (Medi1radio) et MEDI1TV afin de sensibiliser les citoyens de la région aux enjeux auxquels font face les deux rives de la Méditerranée. L’UpM et Medi1 lancent une série numérique « 2 minutes pour comprendre » de six épisodes avec les experts de l’Union pour la Méditerranée pour aborder les problématiques majeures des pays méditerranéens, tout en proposant une vision et des solutions viables pour appréhender… Lire la suite
25 June. A virtual conference was held this week to showcase pathways for supporting Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving a sustainable economic recovery. The Conference brought together policy-makers (from ministries, central banks, regulators and the European Commission), as well as academics working on this subject, MSME finance advocates, and diverse market participants covering the whole eco-system (banks, microfinance institutions, investment funds, incubators, accelerators, fin-techs, leasing companies, credit guarantee companies, business angels, crowdfunding platforms, and development cooperation frameworks) and international financial institutions active in the region. There were also speakers and panelists representing institutions… Lire la suite