7th UfM foreign ministers’ meet to kick off in Barcelona under Jordan, EU presidency

AMMAN — The seventh Regional Forum for Foreign Ministers of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is scheduled to kick off on Thursday in Barcelona, Spain, under the presidency of Jordan and the EU.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell will chair the forum that will bring together foreign ministers and representatives of member states of the UfM, along with several Euro-Mediterranean institutions, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

The forum will focus on joint challenges facing the countries and peoples of the Mediterranean.

It will review topics, mainly those related to food security, energy and water, with the aim of enhancing coordination and cooperation to face challenges and revise UfM priorities in light of ongoing crises and conflicts to enhance joint action among countries of the union.

The forum will also focus on the importance of youth and their role in sustainable development.

It will also highlight the significance of investing in youth and empowering them to become active participants in decision making and formulating  public policies to change regional challenges into opportunities that can help realise security, stability and prosperity for Mediterranean countries.

Safadi is scheduled to participate in the fourth meeting of foreign ministers of the Southern Neighbourhood with EU foreign ministers, which will be held as part of the EU policy towards the Southern Neighbourhood and the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

Safadi will also meet several counterparts participating in the seventh forum and fourth meeting.