Welcome letter from the Secretary General

Now more than ever, in the light of the changes under way in several countries of  the region, we must provide concrete answers to the Mediterranean people, who aspire for closer cooperation with their neighbours, in order to build an area of peace and shared prosperity.

The creation of Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean and the revitalization of the UfM come at a crucial historical moment for our region. They must become a model for multilateral cooperation, based on an approach shared by 43 countries.

The Secretariat will endeavour, through the development of a long-term vision and in close cooperation with its partners, to promote economic and social projects in the medium and long term. These actions will be carried out in a pragmatic way, taking into account the urgent development needs of the region.

This will only happen if our work meets the expectations of millions of young people, women, unemployed people, entrepreneurs and all those who compose the rich variety of regional actors. We must seize this time of profound change to give the Union for the Mediterranean and the Secretariat the means necessary to achieve its ambitious goals.

The Union for the Mediterranean can be a valuable instrument for supporting transitions in the Mediterranean. It is a challenge that we have to face together. Sharing information and working in full transparency are our key principles.

It is very important for the Secretariat, as a coordination platform at the heart of Euro-Mediterranean partnership, that this website becomes the hub for the exchange of information and participation, to involve all the stakeholders in the process. Whether you are a partner, sponsor, volunteer, diplomat, journalist, investor or student, I hope that you find on the website all the tools to allow you to participate actively and constructively to the progress of this ambitious project of the Union for the Mediterranean. We aspire that this project will be also your project.

Youssef Amrani