Online, 12 May 2026 – The UfM Regional Platform on Women Empowerment brought together 60 representatives of 26 UfM Member States, EU institutions, international organisations and regional stakeholders to discuss progress on the implementation of the 2022 5th UfM Ministerial Declaration on Strengthening the Role of Women in Society and prepare the ground for the in-person Regional Platform meeting planned for November 2026 in Barcelona. The meeting provided a platform for regional policy dialogue and exchange on gender equality priorities and concrete strategies across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Discussions took place in the context of evolving regional and global frameworks, including… read more
Tetouan, 29 April 2026 – The Union for the Mediterranean took part in the official inauguration of Tetouan as Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026, an initiative celebrating the city’s cultural heritage and its role in strengthening dialogue across the Euro-Mediterranean region. The event was chaired by Morocco’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Communication, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, alongside local authorities, the Anna Lindh Foundation, and representatives of Matera, also designated Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue for 2026. The Union for the Mediterranean was represented by Kamal El Mahdaoui, Senior Political Advisor in the Cabinet of the Secretary General…. read more
A Conference held in Berlin today introduced business leaders and representatives of the Private Sector from Germany and the Region to the current realities of economic integration and the opportunities that deeper integration would offer in strategic economic sectors across the region. In the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the second UfM Progress Report on Regional Integration that took place in Barcelona on 12 September 2025, the German Development Cooperation expressed its interest in disseminating the findings and the recommendations of the Report to the German Private Sector as a first step to be followed by further activities to… read more
The 2030 UfM Action Plan on Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management has just been formally endorsed. The Plan provides the strategic framework underpinning Euro-Mediterranean cooperation on fire and disaster risk. The 3rd Euro-Mediterranean Workshop on Fire Risks takes place on 7-8 May 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus, co-organised by the European Commission (DG ECHO) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. Discussions address wildfire and industrial fire risks as a systemic regional challenge, with a focus on satellite and AI-based early detection, integrated fire risk management and cross-border… read more
29 April 2026, Online. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Platform on Transport Connectivity and its Working Groups on Land, Air, and Maritime Transport convened online on 29 April 2026 to advance the implementation of the Regional Transport Action Plan (RTAP) 2021–2027. The meetings, co-chaired by the European Commission’s DG MOVE and the Jordanian Ministry of Transport, gathered National Coordinators, Focal Points, and representatives from regional and international partner organisations. Discussions marked a shift from the RTAP mid-term review to a more delivery focused phase for 2026–2027. Participants agreed that the final implementation stage of the RTAP requires a stronger… read more
Barcelona, 23 April 2026 – Despite women making up over 50% of graduates in UfM Member States, a persistent glass ceiling keeps them critically underrepresented in top academic roles, with limited number of university heads at regional level. Highlighting structural barriers, advancements and solutions, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Catalan Development Cooperation Agency (ACCD) hosted the high-level webinar, “Leading the Future: Women at the Helm of Mediterranean Science and Higher Education.” Opening the event, UfM Deputy Secretary General Petra Kežman stressed that closing the leadership gap in higher education is not only a matter of equality, but… read more
15 April 2026, Online. The 10th UfM Working Group on Environment meeting held online on 15 April brought together delegates from the 43 UfM countries and partner organisations to review developments and set priorities for the year ahead while fostering peer learning and regional cooperation. Participants reviewed recent international and Euro‑Mediterranean environmental developments, assessed progress under the 2030GreenerMed Agenda, and exchanged on national priorities, needs and opportunities for cooperation. The session featured the presentation of a proposed update to the 2030GreenerMed narrative and the upcoming publication on the UfM Website of the 2nd UfM Results‑Based GreenerMed Monitoring Report. Chaired by… read more
20 – 22 April 2026, Barcelona. The 19th UfM Regional Platform on Sustainable Blue Economy, held at the UfM in Barcelona, brought together UfM countries, observers and key Mediterranean stakeholders to advance regional cooperation on the sustainable blue economy, with discussions focusing on implementation, investment opportunities such as the Blue Med Partnership and new regional initiatives, including the Eastern Mediterranean sea-basin strategy. The meeting focused on the implementation of the 2021 UfM Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Blue Economy and its Roadmap, while addressing emerging regional priorities and opportunities. Discussions covered updates on the EU Ocean Pact and the Med Pact, ongoing and… read more
1 April 2026, Cairo – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) took part in the 9th edition of the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES 2026), held in Cairo from 30 March to 1 April under the theme “Transforming Energy through Collaboration, Action and Realism”. The event brought together global energy leaders, policymakers and industry executives to address the energy trilemma of security, affordability and sustainability amid geopolitical tensions and global crises. The UfM’s presence at EGYPES 2026 was strongly highlighted through the active participation of Secretary General Nasser Kamel across a series of high-level engagements throughout the conference. During a high-level… read more
30 March 2026, Barcelona, Spain. The Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat has launched a call for tenders for the design and delivery of a Youth Mainstreaming training programme and the co-creation of an operational toolkit. This assignment supports the implementation of the UfM Youth Mainstreaming Plan 2026–2030. Opportunity overview The selected contractor will design and deliver a structured training programme for UfM staff and facilitate the development of a practical Youth Mainstreaming Toolkit. The work will combine online learning with a 1.5-day in-person workshop in Barcelona. The assignment will run from May to December 2026. The training and toolkit must… read more
