• Minister Schmit and UfM Secretary General Sijilmassi discussed the upcoming third UfM Ministerial Meeting on Labour and Employment. • They explored ways to further coordinate efforts in addressing the challenges of the region in the field of vocational training and youth employment…. read more
• The Euro-Mediterranean region is facing numerous consequences of the climate change which take a hard toll on habitants of Eastern and Southern Mediterranean countries. In this regard, the sustainable agriculture and fisheries are vital to the stable social and economic growth of the Mediterranean. • CIHEAM’s 1st Mediterranean Forum for PhD Students and Young Researchers, framed within the UfM labelled project Higher Education & Food Security and Rural Development, provided the opportunity to debate on potential initiatives addressing the current challenges related to the design of sustainable agricultural food production systems in the Mediterranean basin…. read more
More than 30 UfM government representatives and key stakeholders involved in gender equality met in the framework of the UfM Regional Dialogue on Women’s Empowerment to move forward with preparing the next UfM Ministerial Conference on Strengthening the Role of Women in Society, expected to take place in 2017. The first two working groups on access of women to leadership positions and on women’s participation in economic life have gathered in Paris and Amman to review progress achieved on these issues and prepare recommendations for action…. read more
• The YouMatch – Toolbox Project, promoted by Germany’s Development Agency GIZ in coordination with the UfM Secretariat, falls under the UfM Med4Jobs initiative • The project is centred on the link between labour demand and supply with the key idea to improve employment services for youth • Commissioned and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ), the project is implemented by GIZ in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia… read more
• The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean was an institutional partner of the Tangier region for MedCOP Climate 2016, which took place in Tangier on 18 and 19 July 2016 and was attended by more than 2,000 representatives of the Mediterranean countries, civil society, various international and regional organisations, economic stakeholders and experts. • MedCOP Climate 2016 provided a forum to present various initiatives and projects supported by the UfM that are helping to formulate a Mediterranean climate agenda, such as the creation of a Mediterranean network of young people working on climate issues; the Regional Committee for… read more
Barcelona, 15 July 2016. The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean strongly condemns the terrorist attack perpetrated in Nice yesterday, on Bastille Day, killing more than 80 people, including children. It presents its condolences to the families of the victims and expresses its profound solidarity with the people and the Government of France. The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean reiterates its firm condemnation of all acts of terrorism, extremism and violence. It reaffirms its unshakeable faith in the values of dialogue and peace and joins the international community in the fight against terrorism and the defense of… read more
• Representatives of the main institutions working in the field of intercultural and interreligious dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region met on 11-12 July 2016 at Casa Árabe, Madrid, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, to strengthen their synergies and complementarities and take joint action for wider and more significant impact in promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue. • Participants agreed to work towards a Euro-Mediterranean agenda, exchanging good practices, developing joint actions and supporting regional events, such as the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Forum 2016, which will take place in Valletta, Malta, on 24 and 25 October 2016…. read more
• The Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Regional Council and the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean have concluded a partnership agreement to reinforce regional cooperation and integration in the Mediterranean within the framework of the MedCOP Climate 2016, which will take place in Tangier on 18 and 19 July. • Ilyas El Omari, President of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Regional Council, emphasised that “The regions are orchestrating action plans in response to the challenges they face. We must mobilise all non-state actors – towns, businesses, associations and the research community – to rapidly devise and implement all the solutions. Adapting to climate… read more
Strasbourg, 7 July 2016. Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of European Commission met today with the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Fathallah Sijilmassi, to exchange views on activities of the UfM. HRVP Mogherini and Secretary General Sijilmassi discussed the preparations for the second UfM Regional Forum – an annual conference of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from all 43 UfM Member states (due in November). Secretary General Sijilmassi informed the High Representative/Vice President about the progress in preparation of the UfM Road Map, a strategic document which will provide the framework for… read more
EU and Mediterranean partner countries face common challenges when it comes to climate change, economic growth, foster the social inclusion and strengthen local development. To discuss on opportunities and ways of cooperation within the forestry sector Mr. Almotaz Abadi (Water & Envionment Division) and Dr. Enrique Doblas (CREAF research coordinator and manager of the MENFRI project) met on the 23rd of May 2016 at the UfM headquarters in Barcelona. The Mediterranean Network of Forestry Research and Innovation is well placed to contribute to forestry issues. At the same time the discussion touched also upon the opportunity to create an expert… read more