The 2nd UfM Ministerial Conference on Transport took place online on 9 February 2023. A new Regional Transport Action Plan was endorsed by the UfM Ministers, that will reinvigorate multilateral cooperation in this sector until 2027 and unlock an important potential in the economic and social development in the region in the years ahead. Transport is a vital “enabler” in sustainable development, with transport-related targets included in eight out of the seventeen SDGs. Transport is also a multiplier in the economic development of any country and an important component of regional integration in the Mediterranean. Barcelona, 9 February 2023. On… read more
Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt), 7 November 2022. The Event “Boosting Energy Efficient Buildings in the Mediterranean Region”, held at the Mediterranean Pavillion in the framework of the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), spotlighted the need to boost action through national commitments and international cooperation. Experts and representatives of national governments and the European Commission showcased their collective efforts towards an energy-efficient, decarbonized and climate resilient built-environment in the Mediterranean Region. The event was a unique opportunity to highlight the commitment of the European Commission to support energy-efficiency in the Mediterranean Region, as… read more
Barcelona, 29 September 2022. The Conference on “Sustainable Urbanisation through Port City Transformation” was held in Barcelona on 28 and 29 September 2022, and it provided a unique opportunity for representatives of Mediterranean ports and adjacent cities, government representatives, and other key regional and international stakeholders to discuss sustainable urbanisation through port city transformation. The Conference underlined, once more, the importance of stronger dialogue and working relationship between ports and port cities as well as with governments and other stakeholders in general with a view to realizing urban development visions in port cities. The UfM, in the upcoming period, intends… read more
Civitavecchia, 7-8 July 2022. The MEDports Forum 2022: The Challenge of Digitalisation in the Mediterranean, was held in Civitavecchia, Italy on 7 and 8 July 2022. The Forum was co-organized by the MEDports Association and the Port System Authority of Central Northern Tyrrhenian Sea – Port of Civitavecchia, and co-sponsored by the Union for the Mediterranean. For several years now, and especially since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, digitalisation has emerged as one of the key drivers for the development of a more sustainable and resilient global shipping industry. Widespread awareness of climate change, the need for greater safety and… read more
Helsinki, 16 June 2022. The Workshop “Housing cooperatives: a sustainable model for European and Mediterranean countries”, held on 16 June in Helsinki in the margins of the International Social Housing Festival 2022, was co-organised by the UfM Secretariat and Housing Europe and gathered representatives of both Housing Cooperatives and the Ministries in charge of Housing from European and neighbouring countries. The workshop, which contributed to the implementation of the UfM Strategic Urban Development Action Plan 2040 and its Housing Action Plan, presented different existing models of housing cooperatives in Europe and in neighbouring Mediterranean countries, it discussed the success factors… read more
Barcelona, 31 May 2022. UfM Deputy Secretary General for Transport and Urban Development, Amb. Erdal Sabri Ergen, participated in the official opening of the 18th Mediterranean Logistics & Transport Forum alongside eminent speakers including Adina Välean and EU Commissioner for Transport, as well as Anwar Zibaoui ans Ahmed El Wakil, President and General Coordinator of ASCAME, Pere Navarro, Special Delegate of the State to the Barcelona “Zona Franca” Consortium, and Elisabet Camprubí, President of the International Commission at the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona. The MedaLogistics Week, which is held in the framework of SIL Barcelona, is a major meeting… read more
Barcelona, 10 May 2022 – In view of the next UfM Ministerial Conference on Transport to be held in Cairo on 3 October 2022, and following the conclusion of the preparations at the technical level within the UfM Regional Platform on Transport Connectivity, a UfM Ad-Hoc Senior Officials Meeting on Transport convened online on 10 May 2022. The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministries of Transport as well as from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of UfM Member States, and representatives of several Directorates-General of the European Commission, including DG MOVE and DG NEAR. The meeting presented and discussed the… read more
Barcelona, 30 March 2022 – The UfM Regional Platform on Transport Connectivity and its Thematic Working Groups on Land Transport, Air Transport, Maritime Transport and Logistics convened from 28 to 30 March 2022 online, to resume the preparations at the technical level for the 3rd UfM Ministerial Conference on Transport. As announced by the UfM Co-Presidency and the Egyptian representative on this occasion, it will be held in Cairo in early October 2022. In particular, the Working Groups discussed the consolidated version of the Regional Transport Action Plan for the Mediterranean region (RTAP) for the period 2021-2027, with a view to finalising… read more
Barcelona, 24 March 2022 – The UfM Working Group on Evaluation, Monitoring & Reporting Systems on Sustainable Urban Development convened its 4th meeting on 24 March 2022 online to highlight the importance of having available data for evidence-based urban policies. As a follow-up to previous discussions, main challenges and advancements in the implementation of the United Nations Statistical Commission methodology for delineation of cities and urban and rural areas for international and regional statistical comparison purposes, Degree of Urbanization (DGURBA) were presented, showcasing also the experience of Lebanon in applying it. The meeting was also an occasion to start discussing… read more
21 March 2022. Urban green spaces, such as parks, playgrounds, and residential greenery, can promote mental and physical health by reducing exposure to air pollutants, noise and excessive heat. The “Webinar on Urban Nature, Green Spaces and Health” organized jointly by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe on 21 March 2022, addressed the positive impacts of urban nature and green spaces on health and wellbeing, and highlighted good practices and perspectives for action towards more liveable and healthy cities. The webinar took stock of the latest evidence on the impacts of… read more
