UfM labelled Interreg Euro-MED Governance Projects and the Programme was invited to the 4th UfM WG on ENVironment and Climate Change hybrid event in Sitges-Barcelona, to introduce the governance structure and opportunities to work with other UfM stakeholders. In an already collaborative and aligned work among the governance projects, Julia Saiz-Pardo, from Andalusian Public Foundation and lead partner of the Institutional Dialogue Project of the Enhancing Sustainable Tourism mission, gave a snapshot of all the missions.
The Interreg Euro-MED Innovative Sustainable Economy (ISE) mission, together with the other governance projects, was presented at the 4th UfM Working Group on Environment and Climate Change that took place on 24th of May in Sitges (Barcelona). The meeting was organised to take stock of progress in the implementation of the 2021 UfM Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Climate Action through the 2030GreenerMed Agenda and the Climate Action Work Plan, including outcomes of COP27 on Climate Change, COP15 on Biodiversity, and Ramsar COP14.
The event was also the opportunity to exchange with UfM countries on their main priorities and needs. It also reflected on how the UfM WG on ENV and CC feeds the global, regional, and national agendas and promotes a coordinated approach with other UfM relevant agendas and within the upcoming international gatherings. Within the updates on regional initiatives, programmes, and UfM labelled projects, the Mission Innovative Sustainable Economy was introduced. The Mission aims to boost a fair transition to a green and blue circular economy through increased innovation capacity and ensuring that new solutions are transferred into public policies. Key activities planned to be started within the upcoming 2-years and how UfM stakeholders can get involved in the current and future plans were mentioned.
In practice, UfM stakeholders are invited to participate in the ISE mission joint activities, such as the ISE Community Hub, the Mediterranean Innovation Events and the capacity building programme, among others. In addition, interested stakeholders will be able to join the 2 mission coordination bodies that will be set-up to ensure a wider stakeholder engagement and higher impact of mission governance projects’ activities. These two bodies are the Institutional Sounding Board (ISB) and the Mission Consultative Body (MCB). To this end, a Mission factsheet was developed jointly with UfM Secretariat with the relevant information and contacts to get associated to the process through the 7-years long implementation projects.
Moreover, it was a great opportunity to thematically talk about circular economy initiatives and current and potentially new synergies through GreenerMed associated activities, such as the sustainable food systems and WEFE nexus through SFS-MED Platform, solutions to reduce marine litter common challenge, and sustainable investments at core of the Mediterranean region transition.
The meeting concluded appreciating the overall willingness of different stakeholders to contribute and participate proactively in advancing further on the common 2030GreenerMed Agenda and Climate Action roadmap, as well as to exchange and mainstream knowledge and experiences throughout the Mediterranean region. As such, the new Interreg Euro-MED 2021-2027 Programme offers a great framework to keep collaborating during the next years for Making the Mediterranean Green Transition happen!
