The UfM High-Level Policy Conference on Employment and Labour embodied the multi-stakeholder mindset that guides collective regional efforts under the umbrella of the UfM to build consensus on sectoral regional agendas a co-design and co-deliver concrete value with the aim of unlocking the regional potential in terms of human capital. The UfM Region faces several employment-related challenges in the aftermath of major socio-economic and geopolitical disruptions, but several initiatives and best practices from the region can inform our collective efforts going forward. Valletta, 13-14 October 2025. The UfM High-Level Conference on Employment and Labour was held on 13 October 2025… read more
1 October 2025, Cairo. The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) hosted the 9th Annual Conference of Mediterranean Central Banks under the theme “Harnessing Innovation and Integration for Sustainable and Inclusive Development in the Mediterranean Region.” Organised in partnership with Banco de España, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the event brought together central bank governors from across the Euro-Mediterranean region, policymakers, academics and representatives of international financial institutions. Deputy Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Meltem Büyükkarakaş, warned that only stronger integration… read more
During their 2022 Ministerial Meeting in Marrakech, the UfM Ministers of Employment and Labour stressed the need to promote the transition to formal employment for informal workers, especially women. The UfM Workshop acted upon this mandate and benefited from the expertise of multiple partners and stakeholders. Several success stories and best practices were shared by young and women entrepreneurs to inspire pathways of sustainable transition from informal economy, with a focus on trust-building, inclusivity and impact going forward. 16-17 September 2025, Istanbul – The UfM, in partnership with the German Development Cooperation and with the support of the European Commission… read more
The 2nd UfM Progress Report on Regional Integration, published in collaboration with the OECD and supported by the German Development Cooperation, was presented today in Barcelona. The data-driven report provides insights on the state of Euro-Mediterranean economic interconnectedness as well as actionable policy recommendations. Although trade flows among UfM Member States accounted for 30% of all global exports in 2022, the Euro-Mediterranean market is still highly fragmented. While foreign direct investment has remained broadly resilient, in many countries it is surpassed by remittances. The region now hosts close to 80% more intra-UfM migrants than in 1990, the majority of which… read more
Bratislava saw the first UfM activity to be held in Slovakia, bringing together 50+ digital experts and actors from both shores of the Euro-Mediterranean Region to discuss digital skills, digital rights, and the role of cities in promoting digital transformation. The Conference introduced the participants to the initiatives underway by Digital Coalition Slovakia and gave the floor to participants to share best practices and success stories involving the Private Sector from Albania, Egypt, Estonia, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Spain, and other UfM countries. 16-17 July 2025, Bratislava – This year’s edition of the UfM Digital Transformation Conference, co-organised with the German Development… read more
2-3 July 2025, Athens, Greece. Tourism accounts for over 11% of employment in the Mediterranean region, making it a key economic driver. On 2–3 July 2025, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in partnership with the German Development Cooperation and the European Commission, convened a regional conference under the title “The Tourism Sector: Employment-Related Opportunities and Challenges”. The event gathered 100 participants from 24 UfM Member States, including policymakers, business leaders, academics, and practitioners. The goal: promote successful initiatives and foster cooperation across sectors to shape a more resilient, inclusive tourism sector. Three thematic panels shaped the discussions during the… read more
26 June 2025, Brussels — The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) successfully concluded the 2nd Mediterranean Green Week (24–26 June 2025, Brussels), where policymakers, experts, youth leaders, and stakeholders from across the Euro-Mediterranean region gathered to reaffirm their commitment to a just and inclusive green transition. Key highlights included the announcement of the first-ever UfM Energy & Climate Action Youth Delegates, empowering young leaders to help shape climate and energy policy, drive innovation, and co-create solutions for a just energy transition. High-level sessions and working groups covered critical topics such as clean energy transition, regional energy security, climate adaptation and… read more
27 May 2025, Istanbul. The Union for the Mediterranean is hosting its first Digital Sustainable Week in Istanbul, an event designed to examine the role of artificial intelligence and sustainable investment in advancing inclusive development. As the Mediterranean—and the world—grapples with the seismic shifts brought about by digital transformation, the UfM is gathering policymakers, researchers, business leaders, journalists and civil society from May 26 to 29 to chart a path toward ethical and sustainable innovation in the region. Organised in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the four-day event also spotlights issues relating to gender equality in digital spaces. One of the… read more
07 May 2025, Brussels, Belgium – The 9th meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean’s (UfM) Regional Platform on Trade, Investment and Industry was held on 7 of May 2025 at the European Commission’s premises in Brussels. The event gathered senior officials from across the region, alongside experts from the European Commission, to discuss key regional initiatives across priority areas: regional integration, industrial cooperation, and sustainable trade and investment. The meeting was inaugurated with speeches by Léon Delvaux, Director at DG TRADE, and Joan Borrell, Deputy Secretary General of the UfM. It was co-chaired by Mercedes Bonet, Deputy Head of… read more
Ahead of the 2025 UfM Ministerial on Employment and Labour, representatives of the UfM Member States convened in Porto to take stock of milestone in the implementation of the 2022 Marrakech Declaration, to discuss the key findings of the UfM Community of Practice on Monitoring, and to exchange best practices on Youth Employment ahead of the coming Ministerial. The UfM Region faces several employment-related challenges in the aftermath of major socio-economic and geopolitical disruptions, but several initiatives and best practices from the region can inform our collective efforts going forward. The Declaration of the upcoming Ministerial envisages for October 2025… read more
