16 February 2026, Barcelona, Spain. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in partnership with the Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF), has officially launched the call for applications for the title of Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2028 (MCCD 2028). The initiative will designate two cities from different shores of the Mediterranean to lead a year-long cultural programme in 2028 aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue, inclusion, and regional cooperation. Open to local and regional authorities in all UfM member states, the call invites cities of any size — coastal or inland — to submit proposals that combine a strong local cultural… read more
The high-level dialogue that brought together the UfM, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and representatives from the European Union aimed at aligning development and investment agendas, identifying opportunities for partnership, and translating policy recommendations into action. The UfM region remains to be one of the most economically fragmented regions in the world with trade and investment flows profoundly skewed, interconnectivity potential yet to be unlocked, and mobility of people curtailed by several obstacles. Brussels, 11 February 2026 – Successive disruptions over the last few years have demonstrated the extent to which… read more
29 January 2026, Bratislava. The members of the UfM Regional Platform on Employment and Labour took part in a study visit to the European Labour Authority (ELA) in Bratislava, organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), to strengthen cooperation on fair labour mobility and tackling undeclared work. The visit gathered representatives from 12 UfM Member States, social partners and ELA experts to exchange good practices and explore operational tools that support effective labour inspections and cross-border cooperation. Discussions recalled the mandate adopted by UfM Ministers of Employment and Labour at their 2022 Ministerial Meeting in… read more
27 January 2026, online. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), together with IUCN and MedPAN, co-organised the webinar “Addressing Restoration of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems in the Mediterranean: Building Together for a Common Goal”. The event brought together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and regional stakeholders to discuss how ecosystem restoration can respond to the Mediterranean’s growing climate and biodiversity challenges. The Mediterranean is warming around 20% faster than the global average, and many ecosystems are under pressure: half of natural wetlands and roughly one-third of posidonia meadows have disappeared over the past 50 years. Participants emphasised that restoring marine and coastal… read more
29 January 2026, Córdoba. The Mediterranean basin is among the world’s fastest-urbanising regions, with 60% of its population already living in cities. As urban populations continue to grow, the region faces significant environmental, social and economic challenges. Rapid—and often unplanned—urban expansion has contributed to the degradation of historic city centres, putting cultural heritage, urban landscapes and the region’s distinctive identity at risk. To enable cities to serve as drivers of sustainability, innovation, social inclusion and wellbeing, sound project ideas are essential—along with the capacity to turn them into implementable initiatives. This transformation requires adequate financing. Projects must therefore be bankable…. read more
15 January 2026. As established by RTAP Action 28, the UfM Regional Platform on Transport Connectivity delivered a mid-term review of the plan. The review provides an overview of progress achieved to date, as reported by participating countries, as well as the main challenges encountered. Beyond assessing implementation so far, the review sets the direction for the final phase of the RTAP up to 2027, outlining recommendations for priority areas of cooperation in the coming years. These recommendations reflect both the priorities expressed by UfM Member States and the level of progress already achieved. Overall, the mid-term review points to a… read more
5 January 2026, Barcelona. The Union for the Mediterranean, together with the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation (ACCD), is launching the project “Women Leading Change: Gender-Responsive Leadership in Mediterranean Universities and Municipalities”, and to invite universities from Morocco, Lebanon and Syria to express their interest in participating and receiving tailored technical assistance. A total of 10 universities will be selected across the three countries and special attention will be given to universities that demonstrate a strong institutional commitment to gender equality and leadership reform, as well as existing, planned or desired cooperation with their municipality. About the project Universities play a… read more
Barcelona, 5-6 November 2025 – The 15th Meeting of the UfM Regional Platform on Water (RPWater-15) brought together UfM Member States, regional partners and stakeholders at the UfM headquarters in Barcelona to advance the implementation of the UfM Water Agenda and prepare the ground for the Second UfM Ministerial Meeting on Water, scheduled for 24-25 March 2026 in Rome, Italy. The meeting was organised back-to-back with the Kick-Off Meeting of the 6th Mediterranean Water Forum, co-organised with IME (Institut Méditerranéen de l’Eau) and ONE Water Committee Italy, reinforcing synergies between policy dialogue and multi-stakeholder engagement at regional level. RPWater-15 was… read more
Barcelona, 1–2 December 2025 – The UfM, with the support of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), organized a Regional Workshop on the revised Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean Rules of Origin (PEM Convention) in Barcelona, on 1–2 December 2025, in close cooperation with the European Commission (DG TRADE and DG TAXUD). The workshop built on a series of national training activities previously organized by the UfM, with the support of GIZ, over the past years. These activities have benefited several South Mediterranean Member Countries, in line with the Joint Statement adopted at the 11th UfM Trade Ministers’ Conference held on 10… read more
2-3 December 2025, Alexandria, Egypt – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in collaboration with the MedNC network and the HOMERe programme, and with the support of the Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF) and the European Commission (DG EMPL), convened a two-day event in Alexandria. On 2 December, internal governance meetings for MedNC and HOMERe were held at the Von Gerber House, headquarters of the Anna Lindh Foundation. On 3 December, the conference entitled “Education and Skills for Employment” took place at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, gathering 120 participants from NGOs, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector, and public administrations. Discussions centred… read more
