26 June 2018 – « We stress the importance of structuring Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in marine and maritime sectors to encompass a broad range of objectives comprising the creation of new, blue jobs and social well-being while also being mindful of sustainable development and the preservation of the environment in the Mediterranean area » declared at La Valletta UfM R&I Ministers, together with the EU Commissioners, a year ago. After the set-up of the Group of Senior Officials BLUEMED Working Group as new governing body of the BLUEMED Initiative (February 2018), the first operative steps towards the realization of the Valletta declaration are now taking place with the first BLUEMED National Consultation Days being organized by non-EU Countries (25-27 June and 3-6… read more
The BlueMed initiative is launching a new Call for Start-up Action. The Start-up Actions represent concrete opportunities to explore innovative, knowledge-based pathways and forward-looking visions with a multidisciplinary, mission-oriented approach, for further uptake and developments. The BlueMed initiative is one of the main line of actions within the UfM Ministerial on Blue Economy. Addressed to entities who are willing to partner up with at least three other organisations from different countries, including one non-EU country and one private enterprise, the Call will fund the organization of a series of meetings leading up to a feasibility, foresight or pilot study on topics… read more
17 April 2018. The Mediterranean Sea is one of the areas most affected by marine litter in the world. The impact of this pollution on marine biota within marine protected areas, including on endangered species, remains poorly addressed. However, it is clear that prevention and mitigation measures are urgently needed…. read more
22 March 2018. World Water Day, on 22 March every year, is about taking action to tackle water-related issues. This year’s theme explores the need to preserve nature to overcome water challenges such as environmental damage, water pollution and water scarcity. The Mediterranean region is one of the most water-scarce areas in the world and freshwater, together with the pollution of the existing resources, has reached alarming levels, with more than more than 180 million people being considered water poor and an additional 60 million facing water stress. Promoting regional partnerships and creating sustainable cooperation mechanisms on water use is needed to reverse this… read more
The desalination plant will supply drinking water to 2 million Palestinian inhabitants, thereby ensuring a sustainable solution for the chronic and longstanding water shortage and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where over 95% of the water is not drinkable due to the over-pumping of a polluting Coastal Aquifer International donors pledged €456 million to the project (more than 80% of the total cost), which will make possible to start the biggest ever infrastructure project in the Gaza Strip. Brussels, 20 March 2018. Today, the European Commission and the Government of Palestine, in partnership with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), hosted… read more
The blue economy has an enormous potential for job creation and investment in the Euro-Mediterranean region and thus for human and sustainable development, integration and stability. More than 400 key players from across the region are gathering on 29-30 in Naples at a conference devoted to job creation and investment potential of the blue economy in the Mediterranean…. read more
The Initiative, which involves Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia, was launched in 2016 to increase safety and security, promote sustainable blue growth and jobs, and preserve ecosystems and biodiversity 4 July 2017, Brussels-. The “Workshop on the Initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the western Mediterranean” was held in Brussels on 4th July 2017 to discuss the best possible governance structure of the Initiative. It was proposed to set up an operational coordination through a Western Mediterranean Task Force linked to the UfM Working Group on Blue Economy; it was… read more
•Ministers in charge of water from the UfM Member States recalled that the Mediterranean region is particularly vulnerable to water scarcity and that climate change exacerbates the pressure on existing water resources in the region. •They agreed to develop a Union for the Mediterranean Water Agenda to help UfM Member States implement sustainable and integrated water management policies and contribute to a sustainable livelihood for the region’s citizens, recalling the importance of the Paris agreement and reaffirming their commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development. •Ministers also called for an improvement of access to finance in order to face… read more
Barcelona, 22 March 2017 – The Mediterranean region is one of the areas in the world most vulnerable to climate change as well as one of the most impacted by human water demand, where more than 180 million people are affected by water poverty and an additional 60 million face water stress to some degree. These figures highlight the scale of the challenge faced by the countries in the region. On World Water Day the UfM Secretariat emphasises the crucial need to continue enhancing regional cooperation to successfully address this issue of growing concern. By promoting collaborative work in the… read more
Around 100 representatives of governments, agencies, civil society, private sector as well as environment and climate change experts are gathering today, and until Thursday, at the UfM headquarters. The aim of the meetings is to advance the regional agenda on environment and climate change for the next years and support all UfM Member States in the implementation of the Paris Agreement through their nationally determined contributions…. read more
