Greening the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM): Green Perspectives on Energy and Gender in the Euromediterranean

CONFERENCE

In preparation of the EuroMed Summit that will take place in Barcelona on 20th and 21st

November 2010, the conference will first focus on the state of play, current and future

challenges of the UfM and then on two major socioeconomic aspects of the partnership:

the implementation of a sustainable energy policy and a gender equal development for

the Mediterranean.

Emphasis will be put on the needs of the Southern and Eastern shores as well as in

identifying some key elements that should be developed within the framework of the UfM

for a sustainable UfM and EuroMediterranean Partnership implementation. The present

technocratic approach of UfM should give way to a broader approach based on the

potentials of the region.

The meeting is aimed at supporting the formulation of arguments for a positioning towards the

UfM Summit, while at the same time identifying key issues to be addressed by the European

Parliament in future in the areas of sustainable energy, gender and the UfM overall. The

reflections should be an analysis of the performance on the original objectives and tools to

present and the expectations ahead.

Reflecting on gender equality, it has been more than 10 years after the creation of Euro

Mediterranean Partnership the 2006 Ministerial conclusions for “Strengthening the Role

of Women in Society” currently known as the Istanbul/Marrakech process, created a lot

of expectations among civil society. What has the IAP achieved in the last 4 years?

What are the institutional challenges? What can one expect on the implementation of

gender equality from the new UfM Secretariat based in Barcelona?

On the other hand, the Mediterranean Solar Plan (MSP) is one of the new flagship

initiatives of the UfM. It aims inter alia to develop 20 GW of new renewable production

capacity and to achieve “significant energy savings” in the region by 2020. It will also

contribute to the development of electrical interconnections. However, as depicted by the

report “Heliosthana`, issued by WWF with HBS in June 2010, there are many gaps in the

current situation. What are the involvement requirements for its development and

implementation by the different stakeholders, including the civil society? How can be

ensured that the MSP, as a regional initiative, builds on sustainable energy policies in

every Mediterranean country?

This conference is organised in co-operation with The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament.