4-5 December 2024, Larnaca. Cyprus. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the European University Cyprus (EUC) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest, notably in the field of civil protection and disaster risk management. The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Nicosia Risk Forum 2025, held in Larnaca, Cyprus, with UfM Secretary General, Nasser Kamel, and EUC Rector, Professor Andreas Efstathiou, representing their respective institutions. This agreement aims to foster collaboration through initiatives including official visits and expert exchanges, joint projects and consultations, seminars and workshops, the exchange… read more
Barcelona, 25 November 2024 – Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Secretary General Nasser Kamel took part in the “Diálogos para la Seguridad” event organized by El País today in Madrid. The event featured discussions and talks by a number of distinguished speakers on the complex geopolitical and security challenges facing Europe and the Mediterranean region; from the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, to irregular migration, radicalization and disinformation. In a dedicated session on the situation in the Mediterranean entitled “Una mirada sobre el Mediterráneo”, the UfM Secretary General shared his assessment of the impact of the ongoing geopolitical… read more
Barcelona, November 19, 2024 – The Spanish National Organisation for Cooperation and the Social Inclusion of the Disabled (ONCE) unveiled its special Med Day Coupon charity lottery ticket at the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) headquarters in Barcelona, commemorating the collaborative spirit of the Euro-Mediterranean community. This special “Med Day Coupon” edition, launched on November 19, reinforces a shared commitment to inclusion and solidarity for persons with disabilities across the region. The ticket was presented to UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel by Enric Botí, delegate of ONCE in Catalonia. This Med Day Coupon initiative aims to draw attention to the… read more
18 September 2024, Helsinki, Finland. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in collaboration with the European Commission and key regional partners, successfully concluded the Mediterranean Youth Forum: Building Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. Held from September 16-18, 2024, in Helsinki, the forum brought together over 140 participants, including young entrepreneurs, policymakers, and private sector representatives from across the Mediterranean region. This three-day event emphasized the importance of engaging youth in driving social innovation, digitalization, and sustainable economic recovery. The forum builds upon the UfM’s commitment, as outlined in the Marrakech Ministerial Declaration, to leverage youth potential for inclusive growth, innovation, and green recovery…. read more
11 June 2024, Dead Sea, Jordan. Union for the Mediterranean Secretary General Nasser Kamel took part in the “Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza” conference today in Jordan, where he stressed the Euro-Mediterranean intergovernmental organisation’s readiness to play an active role as soon as early recovery can start in Gaza/Palestine. Organised by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Nations, the UfM Secretary General was among the heads of states and governments and representatives of international organisations, financial institutions and nongovernmental organisations at the event to identify Gaza’s humanitarian assistance needs, how… read more
15 May 2024, Berlin, Germany – As the partnership between the UfM Secretariat and the German Development Cooperation enters its 6th year, the UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel embarked on a working visit to Berlin, Germany, where he held meetings with Mr. Carsten Schmitz-Hoffmann, Director General for Europe, Mediterranean and Central Asia at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). UfM Secretary General Kamel praised the modality of GIZ’s engagement as a team fully integrated into the UfM Secretariat, setting an example that has been attracting other donors and development cooperation agencies. In reply, Mr. Schmitz-Hoffman highlighted the important role… read more
17-18 April 2024, New York, USA – The Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Nasser Kamel, took part in a discussion in the UN Security Council on April 17 on the role of young people in countering Mediterranean security challenges. He was invited to participate by Malta, which holds the rotating presidency of the chamber during the month of April. The Mediterranean is home to various challenges, mirroring those experienced globally, including political instability, socio-economic inequality, and transnational threats. As traditional responses fall short, a holistic approach is essential, with youth engagement being central particularly in peace… read more
13 March 2024, Paris – The Mediterranean is more than ever at the heart of the political agenda. Indeed, with the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the rising tensions in the region, it becomes ever more challenging to continue efforts to strengthen Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and its sole multilateral framework: the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). In that context, the UfM Secretariat joined forces with the Paris School of International Affairs of Sciences Po, leading university ranking amongst the top 3 institutions globally for “politics and international studies” since 2019, and the French Ministry of Europe and… read more
Closing gender gaps in the MENA financial sector: towards women-led business development took place on March 6 and 7 in Cairo. 100 public and private sector participants engaged in strategic discussions and activities aimed at fostering inclusion in the predominantly male world of business. The conference featured six panel discussions and interactive roundtable talks on strengthening the role of women in the sector as well as an award ceremony for innovative women-led startups and a matchmaking session for founders and investors. Under 5% of businesses in the MENA region are led by women, around 20 percentage points below the global… read more
The resilience and adaptability of ports and shipping are vital for transport connectivity, enhanced regional integration, and for addressing longer-term sustainability goals. “MARLOG 13” addresses the latest trends and innovations in sustainable and resilient green blue infrastructure in ports and logistics. The UfM-supported Blue Mediterranean Partnership will support transition to a sustainable blue economy in the Mediterranean region. 3-5 March 2024, Alexandria, Egypt. The 13th edition of the International Maritime Transport and Logistics Conference “MARLOG 13” held in Alexandria, Egypt on 2-5 March 2024, addressed the latest trends and innovations in sustainable and resilient green blue infrastructure in ports and… read more
