The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has released its annual report for 2016, highlighting its achievements over the past year. “UfM activities illustrate the strong belief that regional challenges call for regional solutions and that there is no security without development,” said UfM Secretary-General Fathallah Sijilmassi, highlighting the UfM’s 47 labelled projects, and over 200 ministerial and expert meetings, bringing together 20,000 stakeholders since 2012.

The report says 10 new projects were labelled in 2016. The year ended with a total of 47 region-wide 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, the report said.

Of the projects labelled, 26 are for regional human development, and are expected to positively impact on close to 200,000 people in the fields of youth employability, inclusive growth and women’s empowerment.

A further 21 projects concern regional sustainable development, with an important socio-economic impact across the region, including on climate action, renewable energy, transport, urban development, water, the blue economy and environment.

The UfM Secretariat is based in Barcelona, with a mandate focused on identifying, processing, promoting and coordinating projects, which enhance and strengthen cooperation, and impact directly on the livelihoods of citizens. The EU provides substantial support to the UfM Secretariat and contributes to 50% of its operational budget.

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UfM website