News

Barcelona, 9 April 2025 — The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) today convened its National Focal Points Meeting on Higher Education at its headquarters in Barcelona, bringing together representatives from over 20 UfM Member States and all major regional higher-education stakeholders. The meeting marked a decisive moment in the path toward building a stronger and more coordinated Euro-Mediterranean higher education space. The meeting was opened by UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel, who highlighted the transformative power of education and the need to match political rhetoric with concrete action. “Higher education is one of the most strategic investments we can make… read more

8 April 2025, Online – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) held an online session of the UfM Regional Platform on Research and Innovation to officially launch Working Groups (WGs) led and participated by UfM Member States. These WGs aim to develop concrete initiatives and action plans to support the implementation of the UfM R&I Roadmaps, in preparation for the next Ministerial Conference in 2026. The launch reflects the commitment of UfM Member States to develop a more inclusive R&I agenda able to generate impact on Mediterranean societies and economies. The session featured interventions from representatives of over 16 countries,… read more

11 February 2025, online – On the occasion of the 10th International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) organized a webinar to highlight achievements, challenges, and opportunities for women in STEM across the Mediterranean region. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, and young professionals to discuss strategies for enhancing gender equality in scientific fields. In his opening remarks, the Deputy Secretary General for Higher Education and Research, Joan Borrell, emphasized that science and technology play a crucial role in addressing global challenges, from climate change to food security, and that these challenges can… read more

22 January 2025. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) have reaffirmed their commitment to transforming agrifood systems in the Mediterranean region by renewing their Memorandum of Understanding. Originally signed in 2021, this partnership has already achieved remarkable progress in contributing to agrifood systems transformation efforts in the Mediterranean, and its renewal reaffirms the partners’ shared ambition to drive further progress on the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. A strategic collaboration The Mediterranean region is a microcosm of global agrifood system challenges,… read more

4 December 2024, Marseille – The UfM participated in the HOMERe Conference held in Marseille, France, under the theme “International Mobility as a Driver for Employability and the Professionalisation of Careers.” The event, organised by HOMERe France, gathered stakeholders from various countries across the Euro-Mediterranean region and focused on the role of academic mobility and internships in boosting employability and enhancing career prospects for young people, especially in the context of south-north, north-south, and south-south mobility. The conference highlighted the importance of mobility in improving graduates’ employability. Discussions centred on the challenges and opportunities presented by internships, particularly in strengthening… read more

Rimini, Italy, 8 November 2024 – Yesterday, Mediterranean innovators Hasan Jaafar, Guadaluna Chaer, and Marilu Suc were awarded the CIHEAM Youth Innovation Award for their groundbreaking projects in sustainable and innovative agriculture.  Hasan Jaafar secured first place for his project YY ReGen-R8, which focuses on renewable energy solutions, sustainable agriculture models, and water management. Guadaluna Chaer, recognized as Mediterranean Day hero for combating environmental degradation, earned second place for her AI-driven, chemical-free weed control system, LUXEED Robotics. Marilu Suc placed third with her initiative, the Network of Women in Aquaculture (NOWA), dedicated to promoting gender equality and inclusivity in the… read more

25 September 2024, Rome – After Barcelona and Tangiers, the third edition of the Mediterranean Student Summit, launched by UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union and the ESN – Erasmus Student Network, took place in Palermo, September 26 – 28. The  Summit is organised under the patronage and financial support of the Union for the Mediterranean. Hosted by the University of Palermo, almost 30 students gathered to carry out the debates foreseen in this Summit edition. The event saw the participation of students coming from the Mediterranean Region and Ghana, the latter representing the All-Africa Students Union – AASU, the largest… read more

3 October 2024, Cairo, Egypt – Officials from the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), European Commission, and the League of Arab States (LAS) met yesterday in Cairo to advance the role of science in foreign affairs under the High-level Meeting on Science Diplomacy. In a region facing increasing cross-border challenges such as climate change, food and water security, and energy resources, science and innovation could play a significant role in bringing regional actors together. Participants discussed approaches to strengthen research infrastructures, mobility and training, and science advice for foreign policy. Held at the LAS Secretariat, the meeting was attended by… read more

25 September 2024, Rome – The University of Palermo hosted the Third Mediterranean Student Summit from September 26 to 28, bringing together nearly 30 students from across the Mediterranean region and Ghana. This three-day event, organized by UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union and the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), provided a space for peer-to-peer exchanges and discussions on student engagement, a core priority for UNIMED. The Summit aimed to enhance mutual understanding among students and empower them as advocates for the Mediterranean by fostering discussions on key topics relevant to academic cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region. With students from the Mediterranean… read more

12-13 June 2024, Algiers, Algeria – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), supported by the German Development Cooperation, recently concluded its second regional workshop on integrating green skills into academic curricula, focusing on renewable energy. This initiative is part of the UfM’s commitment to fostering innovative approaches to learning, teaching, and research to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The workshops, designed to prepare Mediterranean graduates and researchers for evolving job markets, underscore the critical role of education in the green transition. A holistic approach encompassing higher education, vocational training, and continuous professional development is essential, as outlined in the… read more