Tunis, Tunisia, 28-29 October 2026. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) gathered more than 120 representatives from governments, EU Delegation in Tunisia, international organisations and donors (UN WOMEN, UNIDO, UNDP, AECI, GIZ), impact funds, micro-finance institutions, research centres, entrepreneurship support organisations, and women entrepreneurs from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia for a two-day Regional Policy Conference dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in agri-food systems. A key highlight of the conference was the presentation and discussion of the draft Regional Policy Agenda 2026–2030 on Innovation for Women Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food Systems, developed through a participatory process involving… read more
16 October 2026, Córdoba, Spain. Representatives of Córdoba (Spain) and Saida (Lebanon), the two cities designated as Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue for 2027, came together in Córdoba from 14 to 16 October for a working visit aimed at advancing preparations for their joint year of celebrations. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen institutional ties, explore cultural and educational partnerships, and develop initiatives connecting both shores of the Mediterranean. The three-day programme brought together representatives of Córdoba City Council, Saida Municipality and the Hariri Foundation, alongside local cultural, educational and heritage institutions. Discussions focused on developing a joint… read more
Cairo, Egypt, 23–24 September 2026 – How can governments and stakeholders better address the interconnected challenges of gender inequality, climate change and conflict? This question was at the centre of a regional workshop on “Women, Peace and Security and Climate Change in the Arab Region: Operationalizing Policy Coherence for the Gender–Climate–Conflict Nexus”, held in Cairo on 23–24 September. Convened by the Union for the Mediterranean, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in partnership with UN Women, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), the… read more
Paphos, Cyprus, 16 September 2026. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has officially launched the Preparedness and Response Working Groups of its Regional Platform on Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management, marking a new step in the implementation of the UfM Regional Action Plan on Civil Protection. The Working Groups provide Member States with permanent structures to jointly identify priorities and translate them into concrete cooperation, technical activities and stronger coordination before and during emergencies. The launch took place in Paphos during the first fully fledged activity of the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station (CRAFS), a regional initiative designed to… read more
Barcelona, 12 August 2026. Marking International Youth Day, the UfM has opened applications for the third edition of the UfM Med Youth Lab, focused this year on entrepreneurial skills. Organised by the UfM with the support of the German Development Cooperation and in collaboration with the University of Palermo, the hybrid programme will combine online training from October to December with in-person workshops in Palermo, Italy, from 14 to 16 December 2026. Participants will develop foundational skills in entrepreneurial thinking, innovation, financial literacy, communication and problem-solving. They will also design introductory sessions through which they can share basic entrepreneurship concepts… read more
The four-day event brought together UfM Member States, institutional partners, scientific networks, financial institutions and technical organisations working on climate and environmental action, water resilience, energy transition, civil protection and disaster risk management. The consultation process for the Mediterranean Climate Action Plan (2027–2028) was launched during the week, with eight Member States providing initial input. The Plan is expected to be delivered in November 2026 at the Mediterranean Pavilion at COP31 Antalya. Water discussions took stock of the final draft Ministerial Declaration on Water and advanced implementation of regional frameworks on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus, water finance and digitalisation. Barcelona, 6… read more
The award recognises excellence in gender-sensitive, solutions-oriented journalism and encourages cross-border collaboration. The call for applications is open until September 13 at 23:59 CET. Created by the UfM and the Euro-Mediterranean Network of Women Journalists, Anna Lindh Foundation’s president, princess Rym Ali, will be on the jury alongside European Institute of the Mediterranean executive president Senén Florensa and the International Federation of Journalists’ Gender Council chair, María Ángeles Samperio. The honouree will be granted access to the UfM-supported Euro-Mediterranean Network of Women Journalists and receive full sponsorship to attend its in-person networking and training event as well as the competition… read more
Online, 4 June 2026 – The first meeting of the UfM Regional Task Force on Innovation for Women in Agro-Food Value Chains brought together 25 representatives from regional and international organisations, development partners, and technical institutions to officially launch a new coordination mechanism supporting innovation and women’s economic empowerment in agro-food across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Established by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in partnership with CIHEAM, FAO and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Regional Task Force counts with the active membership of CGIAR, BETA Technological Centre, Berytech Foundation, PRIMA, AUC CEI, CAWTAR, and MEDWAVES. It… read more
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
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
