On October 22nd, 2025, the 31st meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Platform on Research and Innovation brought together representatives from UfM Member States and key stakeholders to review progress and set new priorities for stronger regional cooperation in science and innovation.
Co-chaired by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and the Jordan Higher Council for Science and Technology, the meeting took place just ahead of the EU–Egypt Summit in Brussels, where Egypt signed its Association Agreement with Horizon Europe — a major milestone for Mediterranean research collaboration.
Participants assessed the implementation of the UfM R&I Roadmaps on health, climate change, and renewable energy, and took stock of activities from two new working groups: one on Researcher Mobility and Capacity Building (co-chaired by Egypt and Italy) and another on Open Data, Data Sharing and Digitalisation (co-chaired by Jordan and Spain).
The meeting also discussed a Regional Scalability Action Plan, explored synergies with the Horizon Europe project Future-4PRIMA, and looked ahead to the next UfM Ministerial Conference on Research and Innovation in 2026. Members reaffirmed their commitment to a robust Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework and to advancing the research and innovation dimension of the new Pact for the Mediterranean.