IEA, UfM join forces for climate action

The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) setting out the outlines of closer co-operation between the two organisations on projects of mutual interest in the energy field.

The two parties share similar goals and have together identified a number of potential areas of co-operation, according to IEA.

These include, but are not limited to, joint projects involving regional co-operation on energy efficiency and renewable energies, research and technical assistance, collaboration on joint publications, data sharing, training and capacity building, as well as the exchange of expertise between the two parties in areas such as climate change, the water-energy-food nexus and regional energy market integration.

Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director, said: “This memorandum of understanding is in line with the IEA’s objective of expanding bilateral energy programmes both with individual partner countries and inter-governmental organisations such as the UfM. Together, we will identify the challenges and opportunities that I am certain can best be addressed through joint action and collective responsibility.”

Fathallah Sijilmassi, UfM Secretary General, added that fostering regional co-operation in the field of energy is paramount to effectively advance regional integration, stability and human development.

The MoU, signed in Paris on February 17, 2016, is valid for five years and may be extended for subsequent additional periods of three years, IEA’s press release reads.

The Union for the Mediterranean is an intergovernmental organisation bringing together 43 countries, including 28 EU member states and 15 Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries. It provides a platform for political dialogue, co-ordination, and regional co-operation.

IEA is an autonomous organisation that facilitates the global energy dialogue, providing research, statistics and recommendations.