UfM Secretary General in Amman as Jordan prepares to assume UfM southern co-presidency

Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Secretary General Sijilmassi has held talks in Amman with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Jafar Hassan, and other key high officials, as Jordan prepares to assume the UfM southern co-presidency for a two-year term.

Sijilmassi described Jordan as a key political player in the Union for the Mediterranean and discussed practical ways of cooperation to implement concrete projects, particularly in the areas of water, transport and women's rights, according to a UfM press release.

"I was honoured to meet with Lower House Speaker Abdul Karim Dughmi, who briefed me on local and regional developments that are currently taking place. I also met with Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, and discussed with him different ways to enhance cooperation between the UfM and Jordan in concrete aspects," said Sijilmassi. "I explained to the Jordanian officials the on-going preparations for the launch of some programmes the Secretariat intends to promote in the Kingdom to create jobs for local young people," he added.

The UfM is currently cooperating with the Jordan-based NGO "INJAZ Al Arab", which has implemented successful projects to provide opportunities for young people.

Highlighting the role that the UfM can play during the current development process in the southern Mediterranean countries, the Secretary General said: “The UfM can provide realistic solutions through the implementation of regional and sub-regional projects that will boost investment in sectors that generate employment.”

The official announcement of the Jordanian co-presidency of the UfM will be made during the UfM Senior Officials Meeting, to take place in Brussels on 27-28 September.