What is UfM

The establishment of the Union for the Mediterranean, an intergovernmental institution which provides a new political/institutional framework for Euro-Mediterranean relations, was announced at the Paris Summit of Heads of State and Government on 13 July 2008. The UfM includes the 27 member countries of the EU and 16 Mediterranean partners (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey); its co-Presidency (one EU member and one non-EU member) rotates every two years. Decisions are made at the biannual summit of Heads of State and Government and the annual conference of Foreign Affairs Ministers. The agenda for both annual and biannual meetings is prepared by a permanent conference of senior officials based in Brussels. The General Secretariat based in Barcelona is responsible for the implementation of policies and projects adopted by the UfM.

In its early phase of activity, the UfM focused on a few main areas of interest, namely the environment (with special regard to the cleanup of the Mediterranean Sea), transportation, civil protection, alternative energy sources (Solar Mediterranean Plan), high-level training and research (establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean University), development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (Mediterranean Business Development Initiative).

Presently, the co-presidency of the UfM is held by France and Egypt.

The General Secretariat was officially installed in Barcelona on 4 March 2010; Mr Ahmed Masa'deh, from Jordan, is the Secretary General.