The Secretariat of UfM hosted the BLUEMED Week on 23–25 October, during which national delegates, the European Commission and stakeholders met to advance an integrated Mediterranean research agenda on Blue Economy The BLUEMED Initiative seeks to contribute to the creation of new ‘blue’ jobs, social well-being and a sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors Barcelona, 23-25 October 2018. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) hosted the BLUEMED Week at its premises in Barcelona on 23-25 October, a three-day event aiming at promoting the blue economy through cooperation in the Mediterranean Sea . The BLUEMED Week hosted the Second Meeting of the… read more
Hosted by the OECD, the UfM organised the second Task Force meeting on Financial Strategy on water issues for enhancing investment and sustainable development in the Mediterranean Paris, 9 July 2018. The Mediterranean region is one of the most water-scarce areas in the world with more than more than 180 million people being considered water poor. Promoting regional partnerships and creating sustainable cooperation mechanisms on water use is needed to reverse this downward spiral. In line with the mandate given by the UfM Ministers for Water (April 2017) to develop the UfM Water Agenda and a Financial Strategy and the… read more
The UfM Secretariat is currently developing a strategy to implement the UfM Water Agenda with a view to enhancing regional cooperation in the field, thus contributing to an integrated water management in the UfM region. Ramallah, 28 June 2018. In line with the framework of the UfM Water Agenda and with a view to enhancing cooperation and ensuring coherence with relevant partners and initiatives in the UfM region, the UfM actively participated in the 1st Palestine International Water Forum, held on 25-28 June 2018, in Ramallah. The Forum, held under the title ‘Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): Best Practices and… read more
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
