UfM’s High-Level Meeting on Skills in the Mediterranean
On Wednesday 12 July, Commissioner Schmit took part in the UfM High-Level Meeting on Skills in the Mediterranean in Madrid. The meeting was organised by DG EMPL on behalf of the UfM Co-Presidency.
The High-Level Meeting was attended by several ministers, representatives from the relevant ministries, social partners and civil society from the 43 UfM Member States. The participants exchanged insights, experiences and best practices to address the current opportunities and challenges ahead.
The Euro-Mediterranean region has one of the youngest populations in the world but is currently seeing an increase in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). Skills are critical for tapping into young people’s potential to put innovation and digitalisation at the heart of recovery, economic growth, decent work and social inclusion.
Skilling, upskilling and reskilling boost employability, inclusiveness, competitiveness and growth, and make it possible to address the challenges of the green transition, demographic change, and the digitalisation of the economy in the region. They also help to tackle persistent gaps and mismatches in skills.
The High-Level Meeting was opened by Commissioner Schmit and Her Excellency Ms Areej Hawamdeh, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Spain, representing the UfM Co-Presidency. Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali and His Excellency Nasser Kamel delivered introductory remarks. Three panels took place on Education and Skills, Transitions and Skills, and Skills when anticipating the Future of Work, linking the event to the European Year of Skills.
The recommendations that came out of the meeting will provide guidance for the future and include innovative ideas to be integrated into the Regional Team Europe Initiative on ‘Jobs through Trade and Investment’ (Pillar 2 on Skills).