Latest news with #EU-Mediterranean
Al-Ahram Weekly
21-05-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt, EU extend PRIMA agreement to boost food and water innovation in Mediterranean - Markets & Companies
Egypt and the European Union (EU) have concluded negotiations to extend the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), a strategic programme focused on sustainable water and food systems. The renewed agreement reinforces collaboration between the EU and participating Mediterranean states, aiming to develop and pilot innovative, scalable solutions to the region's most urgent challenges—food insecurity and water scarcity. Launched in 2017, PRIMA pools knowledge and funding across countries to support scientific research and innovation. The EU has pledged up to 325 million euros towards the programme through 2031, with participating states contributing an estimated 384 million euros over the same period. The agreement was initiated in Cairo by Abdel Hamid El-Zoheiry, Egypt's PRIMA National Coordinator, and Nienke Buisman, Head of International Cooperation at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. Egypt's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mohamed Ayman Ashour, EU Ambassador to Egypt Angelina Eichhorst, and representatives from Egypt's foreign and higher education ministries attended the signing ceremony. Eichhorst described PRIMA as a flagship EU research programme and a crucial platform for science diplomacy and regional cooperation. 'This initiative promotes joint ownership and leadership in addressing key regional issues like food security and water scarcity,' she said. 'Since 2019, we are proud to have supported 123 Egyptian beneficiaries—from universities and research institutes to private enterprises—who have participated in 90 PRIMA initiatives, securing 17 million euros in funding.' The extended agreement will further boost Egypt's engagement in collaborative projects and deepen EU-Mediterranean research and innovation partnerships. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Jordan Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Amman hosts regional forum on sustainable, inclusive employment
The European Commission and the Union for the Mediterranean, in partnership with the Business Development Centre (BDC), launches the 'Green Entrepreneurship: Pathways to Sustainable and Inclusive Employment' forum in Amman on Wednesday (Petra photo) AMMAN — The European Commission and the Union for the Mediterranean, in partnership with the Business Development Centre (BDC), launched the 'Green Entrepreneurship: Pathways to Sustainable and Inclusive Employment' forum in Amman on Wednesday. The event brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and development practitioners to explore how green enterprise can drive inclusive economic growth across the region, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Labour Minister Khaled Bakkar, EU Ambassador Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, and several members of the diplomatic corps attended the forum, which focused on scaling green business models, building resilient labour markets, and advancing environmental innovation. Speakers emphasised the need for stronger alignment between public policy and private sector initiatives to unlock the potential of the green economy, particularly in the areas of job creation, skills development, and digital transformation. 'The shift to a green economy is not a luxury, it's a strategic necessity,' said Bakkar. 'It opens new opportunities for investment in clean energy, recycling and climate tech, while offering a path to improved livelihoods and more resilient communities.' He underscored the importance of coordinated action across government, business, and civil society, stressing that green entrepreneurship must be treated as a key component of economic modernisation rather than a peripheral concern. Chatzisavas reiterated the EU's commitment to the region, highlighting that green and inclusive growth will be central to the forthcoming EU-Mediterranean partnership framework. 'This is about moving from vision to implementation,' he said. 'We need policy coherence and private sector engagement to turn green opportunities into real jobs.' BDC founder and former labour minister Nayef Stetieh described the forum as a platform for action-oriented dialogue. He called for enhanced support systems to empower youth and women to take leadership roles in green sectors. 'We must enable local talent not just to participate in the green economy, but to shape it,' he said. Organisers said the forum serves as a lead-up to the upcoming Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Employment and Labour, scheduled for later this year. Outcomes from the event will help inform regional priorities and contribute to a shared roadmap for sustainable employment and green enterprise development.
