The member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) have defined key measures to address the persisting challenge of unemployment in the Mediterranean region, particularly for young people and women.

At the third Ministerial Conference on Employment and Labour in Jordan, ministers of UfM member countries reaffirmed their commitment to work together to address the challenges relating to employment, employability and decent work.

The European Commission – represented by Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility – and Jordan's Labour Minister H.E. Ali AL-Ghezawi were the co-Presidents of the two day UfM-meeting.

The member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) defined key measures to address the persisting challenge of unemployment in the Mediterranean region, particularly for young people and women.

Commissioner Thyssen stated: "In some countries on the Mediterranean shore, as much as half of the young people are out of a job. We cannot allow this. Decent jobs and good opportunities in life are among the best measures to invest in our future. Therefore, it is time to give a new impetus to our UfM cooperation. We need inclusive labour markets which provide equal chances to all: women and men, the young and the old, university graduate and school dropouts."

The full-day meeting addressed the most pressing issues in the region: promoting job creation, improving youth employment and employability (including job matching and placement, strengthening public employment services), and promoting social dialogue.

Moreover, the ministers discussed ways to contribute to growth, decent work and inclusion, for example by facilitating the transition from the informal to the formal economy and addressing challenges due to the refugee crisis.