Time for Climate Action in the Mediterranean: Sustainable development and regional stability go hand in hand

• EU Commissioner Arias Cañete, President of the Energy Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of UfM Samir Mourad, President of the Scientific Committee of COP22 Nizar Baraka, UfM Secretary General Fathallah Sijilmassi and other officials, experts and stakeholders discuss opportunities that the transition towards low carbon and climate-resilient development could bring for peace and stability in the Mediterranean region.

• The publication “Key players’ perspective on Climate Change in the Mediterranean” will be presented.

Marrakech, 17 November 2016. Today at COP22 in Marrakech, high-level personalities including the EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete, President of the Energy Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of UfM Samir Mourad, President of the Scientific Committee of COP22 Nizar Baraka and the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Fathallah Sijilmassi, will discuss the benefits that low carbon development could bring for the stability of the region.

In the words of UfM Secretary General Sijilmassi: “Climate action is a great opportunity to achieve sustainable and inclusive development models in the Mediterranean. It is essential to seize this opportunity to leverage investment, foster technology transfer, create job opportunities for our youth, promote the role of women and develop low carbon production and consumption patterns that contribute to greater integration, sustainable development and stability in our region.”

The Mediterranean has valuable assets to take the lead on low carbon development. Renewable energy potential, strong existing cooperation and a solid willingness to build a common Mediterranean agenda on climate action are key drivers “to make the Mediterranean region a laboratory for ambitious international climate cooperation and action,” as defined by EU Commissioner Cañete in the UfM’s publication “Key players’ perspective on Climate Change in the Mediterranean”.

This publication will be presented during the discussion as a unique compilation of views from the key Mediterranean actors currently involved in the field of climate action, including Ségolène Royal, President of the 21^st Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC, Hakima El Haite, Moroccan Minister of the Environment, Miguel Arias Cañete, EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, and Fathallah Sijilmassi, UfM Secretary General.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Teresa Ribeira, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), and will feature the EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete, President of the Energy Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of UfM Samir Mourad, President of the Scientific Committee of COP22 Nizar Baraka, Director for Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Kamel Ben Naceur, Director of the Spanish International Cooperation Agency, AECID Luis Tejada, Chief of the Energy, Climate and Technology Branch of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Mark Radka, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean Fathallah Sijilmassi, and other high officials, experts and stakeholders from across the region.

“Key players’ perspective on Climate Change in the Mediterranean”