Allan, Jordan, 28 October 2026. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) joined the European Commission, UNESCO and SESAME for a symposium on the role of research and technology infrastructures in science diplomacy. Hosted at SESAME, a landmark example of scientific cooperation across political and geographical boundaries, the Symposium brought together scientists, diplomats and policymakers to explore how shared research infrastructures can build trust, foster innovation and strengthen regional cooperation. The symposium featured high-level contributions from Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society; Azmi Mahafzah, Jordan’s Minister of Education; and Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General at the… read more
27 October 2026, Tirana. Tunisian entrepreneur Nada Ghammem, founder of MedTech startup Bionic Soul, has received the 2026 ARLEM Award for Young Local Entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean together with Tunisia’s Deposits and Consignments Fund (CDC), as announced today during the 17th Plenary Session of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) in Tirana. The award, supported by the UfM through its participation in the jury and promoted as part of its Day of the Mediterranean campaign, celebrates promising young entrepreneurs alongside the local or regional authorities that support their development. Founded in Tunisia, Bionic Soul designs and develops prosthetic solutions… read more
14 October 2026, Brussels – On 14 October UfM countries, stakeholders, and experts gathered in Brussels to continue making progress towards the 2021 UfM Ministerial Declaration on SBE and its related Roadmap. UfM Deputy Secretary General for Sustainable Development Nisreen Tamimi welcomed the renewed regional momentum on Sustainable Blue Economy: “In a context where regional cooperation, dialogue, and shared strategic frameworks are more important than ever, the solid yet flexible regional partnership on SBE continues to act as a powerful driver for Sustainable Development, as a ‘glue’ across the region, and as a pillar of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation”. Co-Chaired by the UfM EU (DG MARE)… read more
Cairo, 20 October 2026. The UfM Economic Forum, held in cooperation with the European Union and with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) opened today in Cairo. The forum brings together government representatives, private sector leaders and development partners to discuss investment facilitation, regional trade promotion and the role of businesses in supporting sustainable growth and job creation. This comes as UfM Secretary General ad interim Fadi Hajali met with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, to discuss current developments in the Mediterranean and preparations for the UfM 11th Regional Forum next month in Barcelona. … read more
16 October 2026, Córdoba, Spain. Representatives of Córdoba (Spain) and Saida (Lebanon), the two cities designated as Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue for 2027, came together in Córdoba from 14 to 16 October for a working visit aimed at advancing preparations for their joint year of celebrations. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen institutional ties, explore cultural and educational partnerships, and develop initiatives connecting both shores of the Mediterranean. The three-day programme brought together representatives of Córdoba City Council, Saida Municipality and the Hariri Foundation, alongside local cultural, educational and heritage institutions. Discussions focused on developing a joint… read more
Barcelona, 5–7 October 2026 – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) brought together governments, universities, research institutions, international organisations, students and regional partners in Barcelona for the first UfM Higher Education and Research Week, three days of dialogue on the future of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in higher education, research and innovation. “Knowledge is a force for peace. It complements politics, and it can keep channels open during geopolitical tensions. Science gives us a common language,” said Fadi Hajali, Secretary General a.i. of the Union for the Mediterranean, opening the stakeholder consultation on 6 October. The Week brought together more than 160… read more
Toledo, Spain, 5–6 October 2026. The 6th UfM Social Dialogue Forum brought together over 60 representatives of governments, employers’ organisations, trade unions and regional partners to discuss the role of social dialogue in advancing inclusive labour markets and managing economic and digital transitions across the Mediterranean. The UfM was represented by Deputy Secretary General for Economic Development and Employment Meltem Büyükkarakaş, who delivered an opening address highlighting social dialogue as a strategic tool for building consensus and shaping economically sound and socially sustainable policies. Discussions also addressed labour mobility, equal opportunities, skills development and the importance of strengthening social partners’… read more
The training gathered national authorities, industry from the cement, steel and fertilizer sectors, verification bodies and technical experts from 14 Southern and Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkan partner countries, the economies whose exports to the EU market are directly concerned by the mechanism. With the first EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) compliance cycle approaching, importers will purchase certificates from February 2027 for goods imported in 2026, and discussions focused on verified emissions data, the choice between actual and default values, and the forthcoming EU rules on deducting carbon prices paid in third countries. 29 September 2026, Barcelona. The Union for… read more
The Rome Initiative on Water will facilitate the implementation of sustainable water systems in the Mediterranean region by improving the mobilisation of investments and technical assistance. The 2nd UfM Ministerial Meeting on Water provided the organisation’s 43 Member States with strategic guidance to achieve the water-related UN Sustainable Development Goals. The 2nd UfM Ministerial Declaration on Water – endorsed today – calls for greater cross-border cooperation. The Mediterranean faces mounting water challenges driven by climate change, environmental degradation and demographic pressures. Water stress is already a reality in all Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries, while 70% of Southern Europe’s population… read more
UfM grant contributions will go to four projects supporting women entrepreneurs, SMEs, cooperatives and social economy actors across Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine and Tunisia. This announcement comes as development agencies and government representatives gathered in Barcelona for the 3rd Annual Meeting of UfM Development Actors to discuss how to work together more effectively and combine funding and expertise to turn shared regional priorities into practical initiatives with greater impact. 25 September 2026, Barcelona. The UfM has awarded four projects under its third Grant Scheme for the promotion of inclusive digital trade, mobilising over €1M in grant contributions to help businesses… read more
