4-5 May 2023, Barcelona, ​​Spain

During his speech at the meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) group of experts on climate change, Mr Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of the CIHEAM, highlighted the challenges specific to Mediterranean agricultural and food systems. He also presented the prevention and adaptation solutions developed through CIHEAM training and technical assistance instruments. On the sidelines of this event, the recently elected Teodoro Miano was able to hold working meetings with Mr Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the UfM and Deputy Secretaries General. At the end of the rich discussions, it was agreed to renew and strengthen the institutional partnership agreement between the two organisations and to jointly draft an operational roadmap.

Agri-food systems in the face of the pressing challenges of climate change

For the 9th Meeting of the UfM Expert Group on Climate Change, the CIHEAM Secretary General, Mr Teodoro Miano, was invited to present the major Mediterranean issues in terms of food and water security as well as the main challenges of agri-food systems. He recalled that with nearly 800 million people to feed, the Mediterranean region - which is one of the most impacted by climate change - must accelerate the transitions necessary to produce more and better, yet with less available water and land resources. He mentioned that several countries are struggling to meet growing food demand due to increasing climatic hazards, decreasing and/or degraded water and soil, or lack of sufficient working-force. He also highlighted the risks of food insecurity that weigh upon countries heavily dependent on food imports, especially during crises and conflicts. Calling for a “Mediterranean revolution in agri-food systems”, Mr Miano emphasised the importance of regional cooperation that puts people and territories at the heart of priorities. This enables to strengthen local production and consumption practices that respect biodiversity and Mediterranean ecosystems, and that rely upon complementarities between the various stakeholders (see the presentation here).

Water, Food and Inclusion: the UfM and the CIHEAM aim to strengthen their cooperation

On the sidelines of the expert group meeting on climate change, Mr Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the UfM, and the Secretary General of the CIHEAM, Mr Teodoro Miano, reaffirmed their determination to strengthen their partnership and develop joint actions for more sustainable, resilient and inclusive Mediterranean agricultural and food systems, especially in view of the pressing challenges the region is faced with.

Mr Miano also spoke with Mr Almotaz Abadi, Deputy Secretary General of the UfM in charge of water, environment and the blue economy, with Mr Álvaro Albacete Perea, Deputy Secretary General of the UfM in charge of education and research, Mr Abdelkader El Khissassi, Deputy Secretary General in charge of the development of business and employment and Mr Grammenos Mastrojeni, Deputy General Manager for energy and climate action. The strengthening of joint actions such as the MedForum or the SFSMED platform and the development of new initiatives in the fields of blue economy and youth inclusion were notably addressed. In this respect, the renewal of the UfM-CIHEAM partnership agreement and the joint preparation of an operational roadmap are planned for the coming months.

A few days before the meeting in Barcelona, ​​the CIHEAM took part in the meeting of the UfM working group on youth engagement in environmental, urban, and rural development.

Representing the CIHEAM, Mrs Yasmine Seghirate El Guerrab, Administrator in charge of gender and inclusion issues presented the latest publication of the CIHEAM “Youth commitment to sustainable food systems: A Mediterranean Overview” jointly prepared with the UfM, and other CIHEAM activities in favour of the empowerment of young people. The contributions of the various participants in this working meeting will be included in the UfM Youth Action Plan to be launched by the end of 2023.