The UfM undertakes a first landmark step towards engaging policymakers from the UfM Member States in the formulation of multilateral trade and investment policies, leveraging the expertise of international trade and investment organisations. The study visit will pave the way for enhanced collaboration between UfM Member States and international trade institutions, aiming at greater regional economic integration and sustainable investment strategies to enhance competitiveness and trade resilience. Geneva, 25-27 February 2025. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) successfully concluded its Study Visit on International Trade and Investment Policy held from February 25 to 27, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. Organized in… read more
The ARLEM Award – Young local entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean goes into its seventh edition, and once again within the framework of the celebrations of the Day of the Mediterranean and with the support of the UfM. Registration is now open for the prize for entrepreneurial enterprises boosting local communities in the Southern Mediterranean, awarded by the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) and until 15th of May 2025. The prize will be awarded to a young entrepreneur up to 36 years old, supported by her/his regional or local community and whose company has been registered for at least 3 years…. read more
The UfM participated in the Meeting of the New Regional Programme of Spanish Cooperation with the Arab World: Mas’ar Al’an, hosted by Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante, Spain. The meeting saw a presentation of two UfM Grant Scheme beneficiary projects, namely Get Into Green and Women on the Green Path, both in the phase of implementation, benefitting several UfM Arab Member States. Alicante, 22 January 2025 – The UfM participated in a meeting on 22 January 2025 at Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante with the key actors and stakeholders of Spanish Cooperation in the Arab Countries. This meeting took place within the… read more
11-12 December 2024, Cairo, Egypt – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Secretariat, supported by German Development Cooperation, successfully concluded the UfM Seminar on Refugee Entrepreneurship: Addressing Economic Recovery Amidst Conflict on 11-12 December 2024 in Cairo. The seminar convened a diverse group of regional stakeholders to explore the pivotal role of refugee entrepreneurship in stimulating economic growth in both host nations and countries of origin. Discussions centred on effective strategies to empower and support refugee entrepreneurs. In his opening remarks, Said Charna, Senior Economic Advisor at the UfM Secretariat, emphasised the significance of the seminar’s theme and the necessity… read more
The 10th meeting of the UfM Community of Practice on Youth Employment saw the last brushstrokes on a charter that presents a comprehensive framework meant to guide youth employment initiatives in the Southern Mediterranean. Since its first edition in 2018, the UfM Stakeholders Dialogue has become a regular gathering of multiple stakeholders from both shores of the UfM region to discuss best practices and success stories in the fields of job creation, skill development, matching and startup support. Aswan, 15-17 December 2024. The UfM, together with the German Development Cooperation, organized the fourth edition of the UfM Med4Jobs Stakeholders Dialogue… read more
28 November 2024, Brussels, Belgium – The 8th meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean’s (UfM) Regional Platform on Trade and Investment took place on 28 November 2024 at the European Commission’s premises. The event brought together senior trade officials from across the region, along with various experts from the European Commission. The meeting opened with speeches by Ms. Mercedes Bonet, Deputy Head of Unit for Southern Neighbours, Middle East, Turkey, Russia, and Central Asia in the Directorate-General for Trade at the European Commission, and Ms. Wafa Jiris, Director at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply of Jordan, who… read more
The UfM Secretariat joined hands for the first time with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to tackle key issues related to international investment policymaking tools and challenges. The online workshop is the first step of a structured engagement with UNCTAD that will see further collaboration between both entities going forward. While Investment is critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda, the global policy landscape is still largely dominated by old-generation international investment agreements (IIAs) that do not mitigate today’s challenges in areas such as economic stability, environment, and lack sustainable investment facilitation… read more
UfM Member States and Social Partners convened in Rome to discuss the state-of-play of implementation of the 2022 Marrakech Declaration and prepare for the coming UfM Ministerial taking place in 2025. Several Member States presented best practices and undergoing initiatives aimed at creating more jobs, better job matching, youth employability and women economic empowerment. Rome, 13-14 November 2024. The 17th meeting of the UfM Regional Platform on Employment and Labour was held in Rome, Italy over two successive days. The discussion focused on the implementation of the UfM Roadmap 2022-2025 implementing the Declaration of the 5th UfM Ministerial on Employment and Labour (Marrakech, 2022), and priority areas to… read more
4-6 November 2024, Tirana (Albania) – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) co-organized the Conference on Creative Economy in Tirana, Albania, from November 4-6, 2024, in partnership with Albania’s Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, the Municipality of Tirana, and the Young Professionals Network of Albania. This event served as a prelude to Alexandria and Tirana becoming the first Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue in 2025. The conference was inaugurated on November 5 by Lira Pipa, Albania’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation. She highlighted ongoing efforts in Tirana to promote culture, tourism, and Albanian values and announced… read more
The 2024 UfM Trade and Investment Forum is the Forum’s 6th edition in six successive years, attesting to the emphasis the UfM places on facilitating trade and promoting investment to foster economic development and integration in the region. The Forum brought together over 100 experts and stakeholders to discuss the current realities, opportunities and challenges pertaining to green transition and sustainable trade, investment and supply chains. 7 November 2024, Rabat – This year’s edition of the annual UfM Trade and Investment Forum, co-organised with the German Development Cooperation and hosted by Morocco, focused on addressing the regional cooperation and adaptation needs… read more
