n his speech Mr. Cardarelli highlighted that the subject discussed is delicate and complex and demands attention and great efforts from the western countries and financial institutions. He emphasized that the World hasn\u2019t fully recovered from the economic crisis, yet now we are witnessing another wave of change. This new situation needs new products, new instruments and new rules, in order for us to overcome and adapt to this unusual atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cardarelli also briefed the participants on the work that has been achieved so far at the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, and illustrated that its mandate is to identify, process and promote regional, sub-regional and transnational projects in the Mediterranean. He also added that implementing projects in the 6 priority areas of the Secretariat would create new prospects for southern Mediterranean countries, and thus provide the transition processes in these countries with an economic and technological impetus, namely by creating new job opportunities for their rapidly growing young populations (there is a need to create 45\u201350 million jobs in the next 20 years, as well as 250 billion $ of investments).<\/p>\n
At the end of his speech, the Acting Secretary General stressed that it is big responsibility for the UfMS and the PAM to assist the Southern countries to overcome the challenges ahead of them. The PAM and the UfM should work in full complementarity in supporting the re-launching of the economy in the Mediterranean, especially the macroeconomic dimension. The PAM has a special role and responsibility in this context, as it constitutes the voice and the conscience of the peoples in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean
\nThe Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfMS) created by the 43 Euro-Mediterranean Heads of State and Government in Paris on 13 July 2008. Foreign Affairs Ministers in their meeting in Marseille on 4 November 2008 decided that the headquarters of the Secretariat will be in Barcelona. The Union for the Mediterranean is a multilateral partnership with a view to increasing the potential for regional integration and cohesion among Euro-Mediterranean partners. The Union for the Mediterranean is inspired by the shared political will to revitalize efforts to transform the Mediterranean into an area of peace, democracy, cooperation and prosperity. The creation of a joint secretariat is a key stone in this partnership. The Secretariat will contribute to reinforcing co ownership of new Mediterranean relations and achieving visibility through economic projects. The mandate and missions of the Secretariat have been defined in the Paris and Marseille Declarations as well as in the Statutes adopted on 3 March 2010. It is recalled that the mandate of the UfM Secretariat is of a technical nature, focusing on identifying, processing, promoting and coordinating projects, which are in line with the principles and rules of international law, which enhance and strengthen the cooperation and impact directly on the livelihoods of citizens. As stated in the Paris and Marseille Declarations, the central mission of the UfMS is to increase, promote and ensure the coordination of regional, sub-regional and transnational UfM projects in order to improve the socio-economic development, regional integration, sustainable development and the exchange of knowledge among and within the countries of the UfM. It is also recalled that in launching the UfM, the Heads of State and Government identified six priority areas. These are the following:<\/p>\n
\u2022 De-pollution of the Mediterranean
\n\u2022 Maritime and land highways
\n\u2022 Civil protection
\n\u2022 Alternative energies: Mediterranean solar plan
\n\u2022 Higher education and research, Euro-Mediterranean University
\n\u2022 The Mediterranean Business Initiative<\/p>\n