Latest news with #UnionfortheMediterranean
Kuwait Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Forum focuses on energy, climate
KUWAIT: Kuwait is set to host the Fifth Business Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UFM) on Energy and Climate on Monday, as part of the 'Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week.' The high-level gathering will bring together representatives from over 13 Arab and European countries, reflecting growing momentum in regional cooperation on sustainable energy and climate action. Organized in collaboration with Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), the forum aims to foster dialogue among stakeholders from the Arab Gulf and Mediterranean regions. Discussions will center on energy transition, climate resilience, and the promotion of sustainable investment and innovation. Speaking to KUNA ahead of the event, Hatem Aznak, Climate and Energy Projects Analyst at the UFM, described Kuwait's hosting of the forum as a significant milestone for the Union's outreach. 'This marks the first UFM initiative held outside the Euro-Mediterranean region, representing a step forward in broadening our engagement and supporting regional ambitions in sustainability,' he said. This year's edition will also feature a dedicated youth engagement event—an initiative designed to amplify the voices of young leaders in shaping energy and climate solutions. The Union emphasized its commitment to empowering youth and women across the region, recognizing their role as key drivers of change and innovation. The forum is expected to draw strong participation from the private sector, particularly firms with joint interests spanning Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Gulf. Organizers anticipate that the event will catalyze new avenues for regional cooperation and investment in clean energy, positioning the Mediterranean as a strategic hub for sustainable business and climate innovation. Highlighting Kuwait's strategic role in fostering regional dialogue, Aznak extended appreciation to the country's leadership and institutions for their support. 'Kuwait offers an ideal platform to build bridges between the Arab Gulf, the Mediterranean, and Europe in advancing shared climate and energy goals,' he noted. In addition to plenary sessions and expert panels, the forum will feature the Kuwait International Exhibition, alongside workshops focused on climate adaptation, green financing, and the development of sustainable energy markets. The program is designed to support knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and the scaling of renewable energy technologies across borders. The previous edition of the forum was held in Cairo, Egypt, in October. The Union for the Mediterranean, an intergovernmental organization comprising European Union member states and 15 countries from the southern and eastern Mediterranean, aims to strengthen regional cooperation, inclusive development, and stability across the Euro-Mediterranean basin. - KUNA
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.
Zawya
19-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Morocco, Slovenia Reaffirm Determination to Strengthen Partnership in All Areas of Common Interest
Morocco and Slovenia reaffirmed, on Friday in Ljubljana, their desire to strengthen their partnership in all areas of common interest. This determination was expressed during talks held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita and Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Mrs. Tanja Fajon. The two parties particularly highlighted the need to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, particularly in renewables, logistics, agriculture and the automotive industry. The two officials agreed on the importance of holding economic forums to encourage exchanges between economic players from both countries. They stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Port of Koper and all Moroccan ports, in particular the Port of Tanger-Med. The two ministers also stressed the importance of promoting cooperation in the cultural and academic fields, with a view to fostering human and economic development. They called for the strengthening of intergovernmental and civil society exchanges within the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean. Mr. Bourita and Fajon encouraged bilateral and regional academic cooperation between the two Euro-Mediterranean universities, EMUNI in Piran, and the Euro-Mediterranean university of Fez in the fields of science, research, innovation and the blue economy in order to empower young people for the benefit of the entire Mediterranean. They reaffirmed their intention to contribute to strengthening the strategic partnership between the EU and the Kingdom of Morocco. In this respect, the two ministers stressed the importance of placing Morocco-EU cooperation on a sound and solid footing. Mr. Bourita's visit to Slovenia bears witness to the excellent relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Slovenia, based on mutual respect, reciprocal trust, ongoing consultation and cooperation. On this occasion, Morocco welcomed Slovenia's decision to open a resident Embassy in Rabat in June 2025. The two ministers agreed that Morocco's reciprocal decision to open a resident embassy in Ljubljana would give new impetus to cooperation between the two countries. Mr. Bourita, who congratulated Fajon on Slovenia's membership of the UN Security Council for the year 2024-2025, expressed his appreciation for the inclusive approach Slovenia brings to the work of the Security Council and to the relevant priorities of its mandate within this UN organization for the maintenance of international peace and security. The two sides also stressed the positive and constructive role played by Morocco and Slovenia in maintaining stability, security and peace in their respective regions, and their commitment to the universal fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, and the need for peaceful conflict resolution with full respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States. They stated their willingness to deepen their dialogue and cooperation on regional and international issues of common interest and major strategic challenges. During his visit to Ljubljana, Bourita was received by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pire Musar. He also held talks with the Speaker of the Slovenian National Assembly, Urška Klakočar Zupančič and the Slovenian Prime Minister, Robert Golob. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
Al-Ahram Weekly
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Palestinians displacement red line for Egypt: House Deputy Speaker Abou El-Enein - Foreign Affairs
Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament Mohamed Abou El-Enein affirmed that the displacement of Palestinians is a red line, stressing that Cairo would not accept attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause under any circumstances. During a speech before the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Parliamentary Assembly meeting on migration to the Western Mediterranean and the Atlantic, which was held on Wednesday in Spain, Abou El-Enein explained that the Palestinian people would not give up their land or leave it. He called on the international community to work to end the Israeli occupation and reach a peace agreement between Palestinians and Israelis. Furthermore, Abou El-Enein noted that the root cause of the conflict in the Middle East is the Israeli occupation. 'If we want to achieve security and peace, we must work to end the Israeli occupation and not for the Palestinian people to leave their land so that the occupation remains in it,' he went on saying. He added that such a proposal violates international law, values, principles, and human rights and would expand the conflict in the region. Moreover, the Deputy Speaker pointed out that repeated attempts to displace the Palestinians have failed in the past. Peace, he affirmed, can only be achieved by demonstrating a serious political will to end the Israeli occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 1967 that coexists peacefully with the state of Israel. Abou El-Enein added that Egypt, as a pioneer of peace in the Middle East, stands ready to work with the new US administration, the European Union, and all international powers to achieve lasting peace, but Israel lacks the political will. He called on the members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean to communicate with the US Congress and parliaments worldwide to mobilize efforts for peace and stability. He also called for taking advantage of the opportunity represented by the ceasefire agreement and the global interest in the Palestinian cause to take practical measures to reach peace, security and lasting stability for the Palestinians, Israelis, and the world at large. Furthermore, the Deputy Speaker highlighted that achieving peace in Palestine, stopping the war in Sudan, and restoring stability in Libya, Syria, and Yemen are key to addressing the root causes of displacement and irregular migration. He explained that millions of citizens from these countries were forced to flee their homelands to seek security and stability elsewhere. To enable their safe return, Abou El-Enein called for supporting these countries' national institutions, respecting their sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, putting an end to any external pressures or interference in their affairs, and preventing the flow of weapons to militias and armed groups that threaten their stability and unity. He also called for expanding legal migration pathways and encouraging the transfer of investments to create jobs that encourage young people to stay in their countries, noting that Egypt deals comprehensively with the issue of migration. According to the Deputy Speaker, Egypt assists young people in building their capacities in line with labour markets at home and abroad to support organized migration pathways. Egypt, he noted, also cooperates with many European countries in this respect and raises awareness of the risks of irregular migration. Furthermore, Abou El-Enein stressed that shifting from global to regional supply chains constitutes an opportunity to resettle European supply chains in the southern Mediterranean countries. He called for reviewing existing free trade agreements and adopting new ones linking trade liberalization with promoting foreign direct investment. He also advocated for the free movement of goods and services at borders or beyond borders through a modern Euro-Mediterranean transport network. Moreover, he called for the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean financial institution to invest in integration projects and infrastructure and explore trade and investment opportunities. He also stressed the importance of turning the challenge posited by climate change into an opportunity to encourage more investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen production, and electricity grids. In addition, Abou El-Enein called for establishing a regional market for green electricity and expanding the Euro-Mediterranean partnership to include other regions, including Africa and the Arabian Gulf region. Short link:
