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Fostering energy efficiency solutions in the Mediterranean: High level meeting to be held in Malta

Fri, 05/19/2017 - 1:14pm

Valletta (Malta), 18-19 May 2017. This informal meeting is held within the framework of the UfM Energy and Climate Action Agenda and is part of the UfM Energy Platforms, which aim to deliver a secure, affordable and sustainable energy supply in the Mediterranean. Fostering comprehensive multilateral discussions is key to facilitate the deployment of energy efficiency measures in the Mediterranean region. As part of the UfM efforts to promote regional dialogue on the subject, Ministers in charge of energy, government representatives, as well as key stakeholders of the UfM region will discuss today and tomorrow how to enhance regional cooperation to implement energy efficiency solutions in the Mediterranean. A session chaired by the UfM Co-Presidency and the UfM Secretariat, will be dedicated to report on the ongoing developments and the implementation of the work programmes of the three UfM Energy Platforms, with a special focus on the UfM Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Platform (UfM REEE). The UfM REEE Platform aims to promote the deployment of renewable energies and energy efficiency measures in order to ensure access to secure, affordable and reliable energy services and support climate change adaptation and mitigation in our region. The UfM Secretariat is promoting concrete projects and initiatives under the umbrella of the UfM REEE platform, such as the SEMed Private Renewable Energy Framework (SPREF), developed in cooperation with the EBRD to encourage the growth of private markets for renewable energy in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. This initiative is expected to avoid 780,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. The UfM Energy Platforms are flexible and effective structures that, under the coordination of the UfM Co-Presidency, organise and support a regular regional dialogue among the UfM Member States, financial institutions, regional organisations, industry actors, energy experts and other key stakeholders in the region. The construction industry and the tourism, two strategic sectors for the economic growth of the region, will be the focus of two other debates on energy efficiency. Through presentations on energy efficiency solutions, business models, and the exchange of best practices, the different stakeholders will aim to identify viable solutions for the implementation of effective energy efficiency models in the Mediterranean.   More information:

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300 Parliamentarians from UfM Member States together for the Mediterranean

Thu, 05/18/2017 - 7:06pm

The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) participated in the 4th Summit of Presidents of Parliament and the 13th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the UfM (PA-UfM), which took place in Rome on 12-13 May. This is the fourth time the Speakers of Parliaments of the PA-UfM meet after the previous Summits held in Tangiers (2016), Lisbon (2015) and Marseille (2013). UfM Secretary General Sijilmassi praised the achievements of the Italian Presidency and welcomed the election of Egypt as the new Presidency of the PA-UfM and recalled the active collaboration between the UfM and the PA-UfM in promoting regional dialogue and cooperation in the region. He presented the activities of the Secretariat highlighting the tangible positive impact from the first wave of projects, which is already visible, with a growing number of beneficiaries in the region, mainly women and young people. UfM initiatives aim to consolidate human development and promote sustainable development as the main drivers for stability and integration in the region. The Speakers of Parliaments discussed employment opportunities, inclusive growth and sustainable development in the Euro-Mediterranean region and expressed their support for the Mediterranean Initiative for Jobs (Med4Jobs), as an example of the contribution of UfM projects and initiatives to strengthened regional cooperation. Med4Jobs is an UfM cross-sectorial flagship initiative to help increase the employability of young people and women, close the gap between the labour demand and supply and foster a culture of entrepreneurship and private sector development. The 12 cooperation projects currently included under the initiative’s framework have a potential positive impact over 100,000 young people and supporting the development of over 800 SMEs. Meetings of the different Parliamentary Assembly Committees on Women’s Rights; Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights; Energy, Environment and Water; Economic and Financial Affairs, Social Affairs and Education; and Improving Quality of Life, exchanges between civil societies and Culture, also took place. In line with the priorities of the new UfM Roadmap of Action, Parliamentarians agreed in their recommendations to tackle regional challenges strengthening the dialogue, promoting women’s role in the society, adopting measures to follow path on environmental issues, fostering initiatives concerning job creation and preventing radicalism through investments on education and culture dialogue and trust. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission said: “If we are together in this Union for the Mediterranean, it is because we share not only a geographical space, but common opportunities and challenges”. Laura Boldrini, President of the Italian Parliament stated: “It is important to launch new integrated cooperation initiatives that target consistent and qualified investments and that will enable these countries to offer their citizens a realistic alternative of prosperity and sustainable development. If these countries can offer jobs, their young people will not risk their lives crossing the sea or join terrorist groups. Jobs, development and growth are fundamental keys to solve the tensions that the Mediterranean region faces today, and the most effective antidote to threats of radicalization and terrorism". Pietro Grasso, President of the Italian Senate and incumbent President of the PA-UfM stressed: "Today is a new starting point, and we have confidence in the great potential for dialogue and action of the Union for the Mediterranean and the Parliamentary Assembly, especially at this time of conflicts, tensions and fragmentation”. Fathallah Sijilmassi, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean said: “It is of utmost importance for the Parliamentary Assembly and the Secretariat of the UfM to work together in promoting a positive agenda for the Euro-Mediterranean region. The best way to address the root causes of the many challenges that affect us and contribute to stability, social development and economic growth is by focusing on the promotion of human development, reinforcing regional integration and supporting sustainable development in the Mediterranean”.   More Information

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Informal High Level Meeting on Energy Efficiency in the Mediterranean

Thu, 05/18/2017 - 2:13pm

Valletta, Malta, 18-19 May 2017. Enhancing Energy Efficiency solutions in the Mediterranean.

The Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, together with the Co-Presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean will hold the Informal High level meeting on Energy Efficiency in the Mediterranean in Valetta, Malta, on 18-19 May 2017.

One of the main challenges in the region, the implementation of energy efficiency measures, will center the discussions. Ministers in charge of energy, government representatives as well as key stakeholders of the UfM region are expected to discuss the opportunities to enhance cooperation regarding energy efficiency solutions for our region.

Energy efficiency solutions, business models as well as the exchange of best practices in two key economic sectors for the region: the construction industry and the tourism sector will focus the two first debates. On the second day, the third session, chaired by the UfM Co-Presidency and the UfM Secretariat, will be dedicated to the state of play of the UfM Energy Platforms, with a special focus on the UfM Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Platform (UfM REEE Platform).

The UfM Energy Platforms are flexible and effective structures that, under the coordination of the UfM Co-Presidency, organise and support a regular dialogue among UfM Members, financial institutions, regional organisations, the industry, energy experts and other key stakeholders in the region.

More Information

UfM Energy Platforms

Malta EU 2017 Website

For further information about the meeting, please contact Energy & Climate Action Division: energy@ufmsecretariat.org

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Second UfM Ministerial Conference on Sustainable Urban Development

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 5:51pm

Cairo, Egypt, 15-16 May 2017. Second UfM Ministerial Conference on Sustainable Urban Development will take place in Cairo, Egypt on 15-16 May 2017.

For further information about the event, please contact Transport & Urban Development Division: transport@ufmsecretariat.org

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Official Presentation of the UfM Annual Report 2016

Fri, 05/12/2017 - 3:06pm


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Mediterranean in action: a new phase of strengthened regional commitment

Fri, 05/12/2017 - 2:19pm

This past year has demonstrated once again that the scope and scale of the challenges faced by the Euro-Mediterranean region relating to security, migration, unemployment and climate change require swift collective and concerted responses. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) works proactively to achieve greater levels of integration and cooperation in the region through a specific methodology that has yielded positive results in terms of political dialogue and the implementation of region-wide initiatives in which young people play a key role. Under the active leadership of the UfM Co-Presidency – held by the EU and Jordan – and with the active involvement of the UfM Member States, 2016 has marked a turning point for the institution at the political and operational levels. The UfM 2016 Annual Report showcases 10 new labelled projects during the last year aimed at SME development, job creation, women’s empowerment, renewable energy and depollution, infrastructure development and education. Altogether, the UfM adds up to 47 projects with a budget of €5.3 billion. The tangible positive impact from the first wave of projects is already visible involving over 200,000 beneficiaries in the region, mainly women and young people. UfM initiatives aim to consolidate human development (26 projects) and promote sustainable development (21 projects) as the main drivers for stability and integration in the region. The first pillar of action includes initiatives linked to job creation, entrepreneurship and gender equality, such as the Mediterranean Initiative for Jobs (Med4Jobs). More than 50,000 women benefit from women’s empowerment programmes. In terms of sustainable development, in 2016 the UfM launched emblematic projects such as the depollution of Lake Bizerte, under the EU’s Horizon 2020 Initiative for a cleaner Mediterranean Sea, and the SEMed Private Renewable Energy Framework (SPREF), developed in cooperation with the EBRD to encourage the growth of private markets for renewable energy in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. Reinforcing their commitment to work together for a deepened and effective Euro-Mediterranean regional cooperation agenda, the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the UfM Member States endorsed a new action-oriented Roadmap in January 2017 entitled “The Union for the Mediterranean: an action-driven organisation with a common ambition”. Furthermore, three UfM Ministerial Meetings were held in the past year on Regional Cooperation and Planning (Jordan, June 2016), Employment and Labour (Jordan, September 2016) and Energy (Italy, December 2016). The UfM Secretariat follows up on decisions taken at the political level through regional sectoral policy dialogue platforms, thereby following through on Ministerial commitments and implementing concrete initiatives and projects. Since 2012 these platforms have involved over 20,000 stakeholders from around the Mediterranean region including parliamentarians and representatives of international organisations, NGOs, civil society organisations, international financial institutions, development agencies, the private sector, universities and think tanks. In the framework of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UfM has intensified its cooperation with all global, regional and sub-regional initiatives and organisations. The UfM attended as UN observer the United Nations General Assembly (September 2016) and the COP22 Climate Change Conference in Marrakech (November 2016). “With 47 labelled projects and over 200 ministerial and expert fora gathering 20,000 stakeholders since 2012, UfM activities illustrate the strong belief that regional challenges call for regional solutions and that there is no security without development. In this regard, young people are at the heart of the Mediterranean agenda”, said UfM Secretary General Fathallah Sijilmassi. More Information                                                         UfM 2016 Annual Report Video interviews

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