Preparing for the post-Covid19 pandemic
17 June 2021. UfM member states met on 17 June 2021 to review the activities of the UfM Secretariat in the first semester of 2021 and discuss the preparation of the post-Covid19 recovery across the Euro-Mediterranean region. They notably discussed the future Research and Innovation agenda of the UfM Regional Platform on Research and Innovation, with focus on climate change, renewable energy and health, as well as the UfM Employment and Labour agenda.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UfM Secretariat launched the UfM Grant Scheme for employment promotion that will actively support non-profit organizations in the Mediterranean that work to give people opportunities in view of the COVID-19-induced economic crisis. It focuses on projects that enable people to find jobs, continue to gain a living and improve their work and living conditions.
Furthermore, the first edition of the UfM Progress Report on Regional Integration, commissioned by the UfM, and prepared by the OECD, was presented, along with the policy recommendations outlined during the launch event of the report, held on 27 May 2021. The progress report provides key findings in five domains: trade, finance, infrastructure, movement of people, and research and higher education, along with specific performance indicators that can be used to monitor trends and progress over time.
During the meeting, the UfM member states also discussed the UfM Strategic Urban Development Action Plan 2040 and its Housing Action Plan, the result of a three-year intense collaboration between the European Commission and all 42 UfM Member States. These two Action Plans present a collective vision and key principles for actions that are aiming to support more resilient and inclusive cities in the Euro-Mediterranean area through place-based, integrated policies and investments.
Finally, member states have labelled a new regional platform, SEMED – Startup Europe Mediterranean, launched in collaboration with the European Commission in Matera, European Capital of Culture 2019. The platform aims to support all innovation actors by providing a digital innovation ecosystem that fosters inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
To learn more about the project: www.semed.eu
