The ministerial meeting focused mostly on the review of UfM achievements since the last ministerial gathering in November 2015. Ministers praised the activities of the UfM Secretariat and the EU and Jordanian co-presidencies, which had in the last 14 months organized sectorial ministerial meetings on regional development, unemployment and energy, initiated various expert meetings and promoted practical cooperation across the Mediterranean. In his speech, Deputy Foreign Minister Kolaja highlighted the need for closer cooperation between UfM members on combating terrorism, which is a challenge for the entire UfM region.
The Second Regional Forum centered on youth and its potential for advancing stability and development in the region. Some 300 representatives from NGOs, the private sector and international financial institutions were also present.
The Union for the Mediterranean is an intergovernmental platform bringing together 28 EU members and 15 other Mediterranean countries from North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Europe.