News

26 June 2025, online. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) convened the Regional Platform on Transport Connectivity and its thematic Working Groups on Land, Air, and Maritime Transport and Logistics in an online session on 26 June 2025. The meeting brought together national transport coordinators and focal points from UfM Member States, along with representatives from key regional and international organisations, to assess and advance the implementation of the Regional Transport Action Plan for the Mediterranean (RTAP) 2021–2027. Co-chaired by the UfM Co-Presidency – comprising the European Commission’s DG MOVE and the Jordanian Ministry of Transport, the event follows up on… read more

 26 June 2025, Brussels — The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) successfully concluded the 2nd Mediterranean Green Week (24–26 June 2025, Brussels), where policymakers, experts, youth leaders, and stakeholders from across the Euro-Mediterranean region gathered to reaffirm their commitment to a just and inclusive green transition. Key highlights included the announcement of the first-ever UfM Energy & Climate Action Youth Delegates, empowering young leaders to help shape climate and energy policy, drive innovation, and co-create solutions for a just energy transition. High-level sessions and working groups covered critical topics such as clean energy transition, regional energy security, climate adaptation and… read more

26 June 2025, Barcelona – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and AllWomen have launched a new regional community to empower women researchers to take the lead in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Mediterranean. The initiative is supported with funding from GIZ, the German development agency, in the framework of its partnership with the UfM. Unveiled this week, the community focuses on equipping women working in AI and data science with the skills, confidence, and networks to influence public policy and ensure that technological innovation serves inclusive, sustainable development across the region. Through hands-on training, mentorship,… read more

19–20 June 2025, Madrid. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in collaboration with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the National Office for Science Advice of Spain (ONAC), organised a two-day training programme on “Science for Policy: Building Capacity in the Mediterranean.” Held at the Spanish Prime Minister’s Office – La Moncloa – the event brought together almost 30 early-career researchers and scientists from across the Euro-Mediterranean region to enhance their engagement in evidence-informed policymaking. The training is part of a wider UfM effort to foster regional integration through strengthened science-policy cooperation, in line with the UfM Ministerial… read more

18-20 June 2025, Tirana, Albania. –The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) reinforced its commitment to intercultural dialogue and regional cooperation by co-organising key sessions at the Anna Lindh Foundation’s ALForum 2025 in Tirana. Through its participation, the UfM highlighted the central role of cities, creative communities, and academic cooperation in fostering shared values across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Highlighting cities as drivers of dialogue and inclusion On 19 June, the UfM and ALF co-hosted the session “Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue: Cities Leading Intercultural Transformation.” The discussion that counted with the participation of UfM’s Coordinator for the initiative, Mr Ayman… read more

10 to 12 June 2025, Zaragoza – Women play a fundamental role in Mediterranean agro-food systems, being actively involved in agriculture, fisheries, and rural development, and generating essential economic activity in many areas of the region. Even though significant progress has been made in the last decade, there is still much work to be done to empower women and strengthen their engagement in these sectors. The International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies in Spain (CIHEAM Zaragoza) and Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), with the collaboration of CIHEAM General Secretariat and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), are organising the… read more

Charting the path towards sustainable blue economy: the Mediterranean leading the way, a Union for the Mediterranean-led event on the region’s role in advancing the sustainable use of marine resources to promote socioeconomic development, took place today at the UNOC3 Mediterranean Day in Nice. Government officials, development agencies, regional networks, private sector actors, and civil society showcased innovative financing mechanisms, cutting-edge technologies and replicable initiatives. Spain formally signed an €8.5M contribution to the Blue Mediterranean Partnership (BMP), a multi-donor fund promoted by the UfM that mobilises investments in sustainable blue economy projects in the Southern Mediterranean and Red Sea areas…. read more

9 June 2025, Nice. The Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Nasser Kamel, took part in the Summit for a Connected Mediterranean held today in Nice. Organised under the auspices of the President of the French Republic, the summit gathered 21 heads of state and government from Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Gulf to strengthen cooperation on land, maritime, and digital connectivity. Key regional organisations such as the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council and major development banks including the EBRD, EIB, and World Bank were also in attendance alongside the UfM. Secretary General Kamel emphasised the UfM’s… read more

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most plastic polluted areas in the world. The leakage of plastics into the sea is likely to double by 2040 if waste management is not radically improved. Studies also suggest that if current trends continue, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea in 25 years’ time. Approximately 730 tonnes of plastic waste are released into the Mediterranean daily. This is not only a pressing environmental issue, but a socioeconomic and public health challenge as well since plastic pollution is a vector for invasive species, it accumulates in the form of… read more

27 May 2025, Istanbul. The Union for the Mediterranean is hosting its first Digital Sustainable Week in Istanbul, an event designed to examine the role of artificial intelligence and sustainable investment in advancing inclusive development. As the Mediterranean—and the world—grapples with the seismic shifts brought about by digital transformation, the UfM is gathering policymakers, researchers, business leaders, journalists and civil society from May 26 to 29 to chart a path toward ethical and sustainable innovation in the region. Organised in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the four-day event also spotlights issues relating to gender equality in digital spaces. One of the… read more