Kuwait City: Kuwait is set to host the Fifth Business Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UFM) on energy and climate, commencing tomorrow as part of "Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week." The event will see participation from over 13 Arab and European countries.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the forum is organized in collaboration with Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, as well as the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE). Its primary goal is to unite stakeholders from the Arab Gulf and Mediterranean regions to explore energy transformation opportunities and enhance resilience to climate change.
In an interview with KUNA, UFM Climate and Energy Projects Analyst, Hatem Aznak, expressed that Kuwait's hosting of the forum is a positive step that supports the Union's objectives in fostering sustainable business and facilitating investments. He noted that this event marks the Union's first initiative outside the Euro-Mediterranean region.
A new element of the forum this year is a youth engagement event, which will focus on the role of young people in advancing energy and climate solutions. This event is expected to draw participants from the Arab Gulf and Mediterranean regions, emphasizing the potential of Mediterranean youth to offer innovative ideas and solutions.
The Union has stressed its dedication to empowering young people and women, enabling them to be active stakeholders and contributors. The involvement of the private sector, especially companies with shared interests between Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Gulf, is anticipated to be crucial in launching regional cooperation initiatives.
The forum provides an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Kuwait, the Arab Gulf countries, and the European Union, particularly in the realms of energy and climate transition. It also aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices to promote green investment and stimulate innovation, ensuring that sustainable energy transition becomes integral to regional dialogue.
Kuwait's role as a host is seen as instrumental in fostering closer relations between the Arab Gulf region, the Mediterranean, and Europe. The forum is part of a broader initiative, "Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week," which seeks to promote collaboration among Arab and Mediterranean countries in research, development, and renewable energy technologies.
Aznak extended gratitude to Kuwait's leadership and institutions for their support in hosting the forum and addressing regional energy and climate issues. The forum will also feature the Kuwait International Exhibition, along with panel discussions and workshops aimed at developing sustainable energy markets on local, regional, and international levels.
The event will highlight the Mediterranean's potential as a hub for clean energy and sustainable business, showcasing it as a model for climate and energy collaboration. Additionally, it will underscore the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in addressing regional energy and climate challenges.
The previous Energy and Climate Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean was held in Cairo, Egypt, last October. The UFM is an intergovernmental organization that includes EU member states and 15 countries from the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean shores, providing a platform to enhance regional cooperation and promote inclusive development.