News

Barcelona, 22 March 2016. The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean ‎strongly condemns the terrorist attacks ‎perpetrated in Brussels, host to the EU institutions. It presents its condolences to the families of the victims ‎and expresses its profound solidarity with the people and the Government of Belgium as well as with the EU institutions ‎and with all victims of terrorism.‎ Our thoughts and wishes are also with the numerous wounded and their families. 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… read more

Better water, better jobs. Better water through enhanced cooperation and integration brings more human development and stability to the Mediterranean. The southern shores of the Mediterranean are among the world’s most water-scarce, with over 150 million people affected. The UfM is implementing 15 projects specifically on Sustainable Development, representing close to €4 billion in investments for the region…. read more

Paris, 21 March 2016. The Director of the École nationale des ponts et chaussées (École des Ponts Paris Tech), Mr. Armel Labourdonnaye, and the President of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes (UEMF), Mr. Mostapha Bousmina, signed a partnership agreement at the Embassy of Morocco in Paris. The signing was attended by Amb. Chakib Benmoussa and Mr. Mohamed Kabbaj, Chancellor of the UEMF. Under the agreement, the Ecole des Ponts Paris Tech and the UEMF reiterate their desire to build a partnership based on training and research programmes of excellence addressing socio-economic issues in the Mediterranean. The agreement is focused on two… read more

Berlin, 17 March 2016. The Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Fathallah Sijilmassi is conducting an official working visit to Germany to hold talks with German authorities on the state of play of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. State Secretary for Foreign affairs Markus Ederer and Secretary General Sijilmassi held a bilateral meeting to discuss Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and current regional challenges, as well as the consolidation of the role of the Union for the Mediterranean for the reinforcement of regional cooperation and integration. Working meetings were held at the Ministry for Foreign affairs with General Director for political Affairs Sabine Sparwasser… read more

The UfM Secretariat and ANIMA Investment Network launched two Euro-Mediterranean projects aimed at developing investments that contribute to inclusive growth in the Mediterranean. A more effective regional integration is crucial to ensure a better socio-economic future for the region. Broader connectivity, trade and investment, as well as a steadier path towards sustainable development could greatly increase the competitiveness of the whole Euro-Mediterranean region in the global economy…. read more

The UfM was awarded the Badge of Honor from Agrupación Española de Fomento Europeo (AEFE) in recognition of the dedication to the Universal Values and Human Rights in the UfM trajectory. AEFE seeks greater rapprochement and integration of all the nations, cultures and ethnic groups of Europe in order to establish stronger relations within European continent.   Barcelona, 12 March 2016. UfM received the prestigious Badge of Honor for the dedication to the Universal Values and Human Rights, during a ceremony hosted by Agrupación Española de Fomento Europeo (AEFE) in Barcelona on 12th of March 2016. The ceremony took place… read more

A delegation of European Parliamentarians headed by Vice-President of the European People’s Party (EPP) group and Head of the Euro-Mediterranean Group at the European Parliament, Ms. Mariya Gabriel, pays a working visit to the UfM Secretariat. Following a briefing on UfM Secretariat’s activities and projects, Members of the EPP Euro-Mediterranean working group manifested their strong support for the work of the Secretariat…. read more

• The UfM Secretariat, ANIMA, the cooperation platform for economic development in the Mediterranean; and iesMed, the cooperative platform to boost the Mediterranean Social Economy are organising a seminar in Barcelona, on 14 and 15 March 2016, about inclusive investment in the Mediterranean. • The seminar will be based around the launch of two UfM projects – EDILE and EMIPO – two Euro-Mediterranean initiatives aimed at developing investments that contribute to inclusive growth in the Mediterranean…. read more

• Women largely contribute to human development and stability in the region. In some countries, they make up as much as 63 percent of university students. However, in the Mediterranean region, they represent only 28% of the labor force, 12% of entrepreneurs and 16% of politics. • The region could increase its GDP per capita by 25%, by enhancing women’s equal participation in public life. • The UfM Secretariat’s actions on women’s empowerment and gender equality target more than 50,000 women in the region…. read more

• The first meetings of the UfM Regional Electricity Market (REM) Platform and the UfM Gas Platform take place in Barcelona. • Representatives from 20 UFM Member States discuss the integration of electricity markets and the development of a gas market in the region…. read more