Monaco participates in the 10th Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona

This edition was marked by the launch of the “Pact for the Mediterranean,” an initiative supported by the European Union and several partner countries from the southern shore, aimed at providing the UfM with a renewed roadmap for the coming years. This Pact focuses on three interdependent priorities: human development and social innovation, the building of more sustainable and integrated economies, and the strengthening of security, resilience, and migration management.

This renewed framework aims to reinforce the role of the UfM as a cooperation platform based on dialogue, respect for international law, and the principles of the United Nations Charter, in a tense Mediterranean geopolitical context.

In his opening speech, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Mediterranean and the unique nature of the UfM, the only forum bringing together Israel and Palestine on an equal footing, illustrating the relevance of multilateral dialogue, particularly in times of crisis.

Discussions naturally focused on the situation in the Middle East. Several states stressed the need to respect international humanitarian law and to ensure safe and unhindered access to aid for civilian populations.

The Monegasque delegation followed all the Forum’s proceedings closely and was able to exchange views, on the sidelines of the meeting, with various regional partners on the issues addressed.