Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean
17 November, 4:30-6:00 pm
Blue Zone, EU Pavilion
Description:
The Heads of State and Government adopted in September 2015 the new Global Sustainable Development Goals, which set the scale and the ambition of the new universal Agenda until 2030. At the same time, a new global agreement on climate change has been approved at the COP 21 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in December 2015.
These commitments are framing the global transition towards a more sustainable development, strengthening the resilience of societies and providing new opportunities. The target set by the Paris Agreement requires an enhanced coordination of national policies and intermediary regional levels. The Euro-Mediterranean region shall play a significant role in this regard.
The Euro-Mediterranean region indeed faces unprecedented challenges for building this sustainable future. By 2030, nearly 80% of the population will be concentrated on 10% of the land, energy consumption in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean could go up to 70% and CO2 emissions could double, exacerbating the impacts of climate change in the region.
In this context, the UfM is taking part of the global efforts by contributing, through its regional mandate and practical action, to connect sustainable development regional efforts to the global agenda. This regional approach offers a sound opportunity to better link national priorities with the international framework, in full respect of interests and particularities of Member countries.
The objective of the high-level side event is to raise awareness of the tremendous opportunities that a low carbon and climate resilient development could bring for peace and stability in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Speakers:
Introduction:
- Fathallah Sijilmassi, Secretary General of the UfM
Panel:
- Miguel Arias Cañete, EU Commissioner for Energy and Climate – UfM Co-presidency
- Yaseen Al-Khayyat, Minister for Environment, Jordan - UfM Co-presidency*
- Ségolène Royal, Minister for Environment, Energy and the Sea, France*
- Hakima El-Haité, Minister for Environment, Morocco*
- Laura Boldrini, President of the Chamber of Deputies, Italy – PA-UfM*
- Moderator: Teresa Ribera, IDDRI General Director
*To be confirmed
