Investing in the Mediterranean of the future: the UfM Secretary General participates in Act III of the Mediterranean Forum of Marseille
Marseille, 26 November 2019. The Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Mr Nasser Kamel, participated today in Act III of the conference “ Mediterranean of the Future”, organised by the Région Sud under the patronage of the French Prime Minister, Mr Édouard Philippe.
After an Act I (21 November 2017) on the theme of climate, and an Act II (13 November 2018) on the theme of youth, the third edition of this meeting designates investment as its theme. The event brought together, in addition to various ministers from around the Mediterranean region, investors and project leaders who are active in the region. The Secretary General delivered an opening address, alongside Mr Jean-Yves le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Mr Renaud Muselier, President of the Région Sud.
During his speech, Nasser Kamel highlighted the role of the UfM as a mobilizing actor in the field of positive impact investments. “We are constantly linking economic development and sustainable development across several projects[…] such as the blue economy, the green and circular economy and, above all, the climate field”. He also underlined that climate action makes it possible both to ensure the survival of the region, but also to create inclusive and sustainable growth.
“I am convinced that positive impact investment remains essential to unleash the untapped potential of the Mediterranean region. The time has come for us to take a collective leap of faith, all actors combined, in favour of socially and ecologically responsible investments that will make it possible to tackle the great climate emergency that threatens the Mediterranean, our shared sea”, he added.
In this respect, the UfM recently signed an important partnership with the R20 network – Regions of Climate Action, in order to promote climate finance at the level of regional and local authorities and small and medium-sized businesses. A portfolio of “investment ready” projects will be presented at the next COP25 in Madrid.
