News

The Mediterranean region, a critical climate change hotspot that is warming at a rate 20% faster than the global average, is home to over 180 million people who are considered water poor and an additional 60 million who face water stress. The Union for the Mediterranean, in line with the 2024 World Water Day theme of leveraging water for peace, highlights the need to step up collaborative responses to the water scarcity crisis, an issue that is compounded by climate change as well as factors including overtourism, increased population growth or rapid urbanisation. The UfM continues to work towards advancing… read more

13 March 2024, Paris – The Mediterranean is more than ever at the heart of the political agenda. Indeed, with the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the rising tensions in the region, it becomes ever more challenging to continue efforts to strengthen Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and its sole multilateral framework: the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). In that context, the UfM Secretariat joined forces with the Paris School of International Affairs of Sciences Po, leading university ranking amongst the top 3 institutions globally for “politics and international studies” since 2019, and the French Ministry of Europe and… read more

In collaboration with the German Development Cooperation and with the support of the European Union, the UfM Secretariat convened the 7th Meeting of the UfM Community of Practice (CoP) on Youth Employment in the Southern Mediterranean. The UfM Secretariat actively promotes decent work opportunities and career guidance initiatives for young people in the Southern Mediterranean region. This focus recognizes youth employment as a crucial driver of sustainable human development and inclusive economic growth.  Barcelona, 5-6 March 2024. The UfM Secretariat, together with the German Development Cooperation and with the support of the European Union, organised the 7th Meeting of the… read more

Closing gender gaps in the MENA financial sector: towards women-led business development took place on March 6 and 7 in Cairo. 100 public and private sector participants engaged in strategic discussions and activities aimed at fostering inclusion in the predominantly male world of business. The conference featured six panel discussions and interactive roundtable talks on strengthening the role of women in the sector as well as an award ceremony for innovative women-led startups and a matchmaking session for founders and investors. Under 5% of businesses in the MENA region are led by women, around 20 percentage points below the global… read more

The resilience and adaptability of ports and shipping are vital for transport connectivity, enhanced regional integration, and for addressing longer-term sustainability goals. “MARLOG 13” addresses the latest trends and innovations in sustainable and resilient green blue infrastructure in ports and logistics. The UfM-supported Blue Mediterranean Partnership will support transition to a sustainable blue economy in the Mediterranean region. 3-5 March 2024, Alexandria, Egypt. The 13th edition of the International Maritime Transport and Logistics Conference “MARLOG 13” held in Alexandria, Egypt on 2-5 March 2024, addressed the latest trends and innovations in sustainable and resilient green blue infrastructure in ports and… read more

1 March 2024, Ouarzazate, Morocco – In the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Morocco in September 2023, the three-day “UfM Workshop on Traditional Building Skills for an Earthquake Resistant Reconstruction” held in Ouarzazate, Morocco from 28 February to 1 March 2024, took on particular importance. National and international experts came together to discuss how to strengthen the resilience of local heritage in the face of future earthquakes. Experts closely examined the use of traditional construction in the context of post-earthquake reconstruction, and explored solutions that take advantage of traditional construction, with particular emphasis on the use of local materials… read more

22 February 2024, Barcelona – Representatives of UfM Ministries of Foreign Affairs gathered last week for their first Senior Officials meeting of 2024, to review the situation in the region, and discuss next steps for the UfM reform. In 2023, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the organisation, a reform process was launched to enhance the role, functioning and impact of ‎the UfM in the region. Following the first package of measures adopted last year, new elements regarding the mandate and resources of the organisation will be discussed. Further to that, UfM Senior Officials received an update on… read more

The 2nd UfM Stakeholder Conference on Sustainable Blue Economy took place on February 19 and 20 in the Greek capital, with over 350 participants evaluating the progress made within the framework of the 10 Sustainable Blue Economy priority areas adopted in 2021 and discussing next steps.  The event, which featured 11 workshops on topics ranging from marine research and innovation to sustainable tourism or the blue finance process, was hosted by the Union for the Mediterranean, its EU and Jordanian Co-Presidency, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy of Greece. February 19-20, Athens. Over 350 people got together… read more

13-14 February 2024, Split, Croatia. – The UfM co-organised with the Croatian National Bank, the Banco de España, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), the 8th Annual Conference of Mediterranean Central Banks, which took place in Split, Croatia, on 13 and 14 February. This conference served as a pivotal platform for the exchange of invaluable insights, the sharing of expertise, and the cultivation of cooperation among Central Bank Governors and other experts from the Mediterranean region. Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) delivered introductory remarks alongside Boris… read more

The discussion centred around the Mediterranean region’s current affairs and UfM initiatives such as the Day of the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue. Both parties emphasised the importance of culture and intercultural dialogue in promoting a positive and cohesive agenda across the region, and the strengthening of organisations such as the Anna Lindh Foundation. Barcelona, 15 February 2024. UfM Secretary General, Nasser Kamel, and the Spanish Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, discussed the pivotal role of culture and intercultural dialogue in bridging the Mediterranean’s diverse divides. They highlighted key UfM initiatives designed to enhance intercultural dialogue… read more