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The VI Ministerial Conference of the 5+5 Dialogue on Research, Innovation, and Higher Education was held today, December 6, 2024, in Lisbon, Portugal, under the Presidency of Portugal and the Co-Presidency of Mauritania. The conference was attended by Ministers of Education, University and Research and the Heads of Delegation from Algeria, France, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Libya, Spain, Portugal, and Tunisia, along with observer delegates from the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), and the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED).

The 5+5 Dialogue is a key intergovernmental forum aimed at fostering collaboration among Western Mediterranean countries in strategic areas such as science, technology, innovation, and higher education. Italy plays an important role in the forum through the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics  - OGS, which hosts the Forum Secretariat in Trieste. OGS represents Italy in the Group of Senior Officials (GSO) on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR).

During the conference, the Ministers of Education, University and Research and Heads of Delegation from the 10 member countries signed the Lisbon Declaration for Research, Innovation, and Higher Education. This milestone document concludes Portugues presidency and marks the transition to Libya’s Presidency for the 2024 - 2026 term. The declaration highlights the transformative potential of scientific diplomacy, not only as a mechanism for dialogue and peace but also as a means to empower youth and advance sustainable development.

Furthermore the Ministers committed themselves to the signature of the Work Plan for the two-year period 2024–2026 reaffirming their commitment to advancing an innovative, inclusive, and resilient Mediterranean region. This strategic document underscores science diplomacy as an essential tool for promoting youth empowerment and driving sustainable development.

The newly approved work plan highlights Italy’s contributions to the Forum’s objectives, particularly through initiatives that strengthen higher education, research, innovation, and scientific diplomacy. A notable example is the Blue Skills Initiative: Feeding Jobs in the Euro-Mediterranean Region, organized by OGS and funded by MUR. This initiative promotes a sustainable blue economy and prepares professionals with advanced, market-aligned skills tailored to meet the evolving demands of the labor market.

The 18th April 2024 a new portal “Euro-Mediterranean Hub on Research and Innovation” (https://euromedhub-ri.org/) was launched by the European Commission and the Union for the Mediterranean with the presence of the D5+5 Portugal Presidency Secretariat.

This portal serves as a learning and collaborative platform for Mediterranean cooperation. It aims at bolstering the UfM Regional Policy Dialogue on Research and Innovation (R&I) and facilitating the implementation of R&I roadmaps on Health, Renewable Energies, and Climate Change. By registering on the portal, members can connect with other R&I stakeholders across the Mediterranean region and contribute with new knowledge to the portal’s repository. 

The portal offers a one-stop shop for information on research results, best practices, policy papers and other relevant publications, as well as a portfolio of opportunities for R&I collaboration, such as funding opportunities, networks and cluster organisations. The main objective is to foster the exchange and circulation of knowledge and data among R&I stakeholders across the Mediterranean region in the fields of health, renewable energies and climate change.

The priority areas are:

• Climate change: following the 25th Meeting of the UfM Platform on Research and Innovation in June 2020, experts proposed three roadmaps to address climate change: Water scarcity, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity. Effectively managing water scarcity is crucial for safeguarding livelihoods and sustaining socioeconomic development. Regional collaboration is paramount to tackle challenges posed by upstream restrictions.
• Renewable Energies: the effective integration of renewable energies into existing networks and the promotion of equitable access to clean energy are priorities for the Euro Mediterranean region, as well as to minimise environmental impact and to stimulate local economic development.
• Health: health landscape in the Euro-Mediterranean region is undergoing rapid changes driven by socioeconomic developments, demographic shifts, and epidemiological transitions. Despite some improvements, numerous challenges persist, and new ones are emerging, primarily induced by the aging of the population, urbanisation, and climate change’s effects.

The Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Science Diplomacy, organized by the Union for the Mediterranean, under the leadership of its Co-Presidencies (the European Union and Jordan), will take place in Barcelona on the 3rd of October 2023. 

With the aim of bringing together the main actors in the field of science diplomacy, the main objective of the conference will be to highlight the state of science diplomacy in the Mediterranean, the challenges and opportunities, and to discuss the way forward as a community of practice. 

The 43 member states of the Union for the Mediterranean play a crucial role in strengthening dialogue and supporting science diplomacy horizontally through its various strands of sectoral cooperation on research and innovation, higher education, food systems, the blue economy, women's empowerment, youth, climate change and water.

The 5+5 Dialogue Presidency has been invited to participate together with UfM Research and Innovation National Focal Points, diplomatic representatives, selected scientists and science stakeholders.

The full agenda of the conference is available at this link.

The conference will be live streamed on the UfM Youtube Channel.

FCT hosted a meeting of the 5+5 Dialogue Research, Innovation and Higher Education

The first face-to-face meeting of the Group of Senior Officials (GSO) of the 5+5 Dialogue Research, Innovation and Higher Education, under the presidency of Portugal and vice-presidency of Mauritania, took place in Lisbon, at the Science and Technology Foundation (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - FCT) headquarters, on 25 and 26 May 2023.

This meeting made a very positive contribution to the implementation of the set of seven actions of the 2023-2024 work plan, as attested by the delegates of the member countries - Algeria, France, Libya, Italy, Mauritania, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia and Spain. The commitments were made by all countries, in an environment of close cooperation and collaboration, and future meetings, workshops and seminars were planned, with the aim of creating networks between research, innovation and higher education institutions and all the actors in the respective national systems. The meeting also counted with the active participation of the European Commission and the Union for the Mediterranean, in the political support to this Dialogue and implementation of the actions. During Portugal's presidency, which will last until the fall of 2024, the GSO has already met virtually on 26 and 27January,and informally on 28 April, with the aim of making progress on the implementation of the Nouakhott Declaration, issued by the 5th Ministerial Conference in October 2022 in Mauritania.

Source: https://www.fct.pt/en/fct-acolheu-reuniao-do-dialogo-55-investigacao-ino...

Plumtri: Your Comprehensive Resource for Research & Innovation in the Mediterranean

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The Plumtri platform, administered by the Malta Council for Science and Technology, is a valuable tool for Research & Innovation stakeholders across the Mediterranean region.

Designed as a one-stop-shop, Plumtri keeps users updated on the latest developments in R&I, offering a range of features and functions that facilitate networking, provide access to resources, and showcase funding opportunities. Let's explore the key features, benefits, and functions of the Plumtri portal.

1. Stay Updated with News, Events, and Job Opportunities: Plumtri acts as a centralized hub for the latest news, events, and job opportunities in the field of Research & Innovation. Users can easily access and browse through a comprehensive collection of information, ensuring they stay informed about the most recent advancements and trends.
2. Resource Repository: The platform's resources section serves as a repository, consolidating valuable information on funding programs, R&I policies, strategies, and other relevant reference material. Researchers, academia, and industry professionals can conveniently access these resources, streamlining their search for key information and enhancing their decision-making processes.
3. Funding Calls for Mediterranean Stakeholders: Plumtri actively showcases the latest calls for funding that are specifically open to stakeholders residing in academia, research institutes, and private industry across the Mediterranean region. By providing this valuable information, the platform empowers individuals and organizations to explore funding opportunities and take their research and innovation projects to the next level.
4. Networking Features: Plumtri recognizes the importance of networking for research professionals. The platform offers three distinct networking features to cater to the requirements of its registered users:
    
   • Tailor-Made Profiles: The registration feature automatically generates personalized profiles for researchers, highlighting their research interests and expertise. This feature allows users to browse through the profiles of other registrants, fostering connections and initiating bilateral discussions with like-minded individuals.
   • Partner Search Facility: Users can upload partner search requests for specific initiatives, such as funding calls for projects. This feature enables users to find potential collaborators, form partnerships, and maximize the impact of their research endeavors.
   • Matchmaking Tool: Plumtri's matchmaking tool enables users to register their interest in participating in specific events, pitch sessions, or calls for funding. By connecting users who share similar interests and activities, this feature facilitates direct communication and collaboration between individuals and organizations.
5.  Benefits of Registration: While the news, events, and opportunities pages are accessible to all visitors, registered Plumtri members unlock additional benefits. By becoming a member, users gain access to the partner search facility, the resources section, and the matchmaking tool. Individuals and organizations alike are welcome to register and take advantage of these exclusive features, enhancing their networking capabilities and expanding their R&I opportunities.

Conclusion: Plumtri is a comprehensive platform that connects Research & Innovation stakeholders throughout the Mediterranean region. With its user-friendly interface, the portal offers the latest news, events, and job opportunities while acting as a central repository for essential resources. By providing networking features and showcasing funding opportunities, Plumtri empowers researchers, academia, and industry professionals to collaborate, stay informed, and make significant contributions to the vibrant R&I landscape in the Mediterranean.

Visit the Plumtri platform at www.plumtri.org and experience the benefits of this dynamic community today.

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On 11th October 2022, the competent Ministers of Algeria, France, Morocco, Libya, Spain, Libya, Malta and Portugal and the observer delegates from the Arab Maghreb Union - AMU, European Commission and Union for the Mediterranean - UfM officially signed the Nouakchott Ministerial Declaration of the 5+5 Dialogue on Research, Innovation and Higher Education. The event laid the end of the Mauritanian Presidency of the Western Mediterranean Forum (5+5 Dialogue) and marked the turnover of the Presidency to Portugal for the next two years 2022-2024.

The Nouakchott Declaration is now available in the webstile, published in its English, French and Arabic version.

• Nouakchott Declaration 2022
• La Déclaration de Nouakchott 2022
• إعلان نواكشوط 2022

The new Work Plan under Annex I of the Nouakchott Ministerial Declaration set the new priorities and main objectives of the regional Western Mediterranean cooperation in the field of Networking, Research and Innovation and Higher Education. Every action and main mission and activities are now available on the website.  

As stated in the Declaration Portugal will host the next Ministerial Conference in 2024. During these next two years of Presidency, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania will act as co-president of the Forum.

Italy will continue to host the 5+5 Dialogue Secretariat in Trieste (Italy) at the premises of the Italian National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS and will be in charge of coordinating the activities and the communication among the delegates and the observers.

Some pictures and a complete video of the fifth Ministerial Conference are available on the 5+5 Dialogue website in the Events Gallery section.

The V Ministerial Conference of the 5 + 5 Dialogue on Research, Innovation and Higher Education was held on October 11, 2022 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, under the Presidency of Mauritania and the co-presidency of Italy with the participation of the competent Ministers of Algeria, France, Morocco, Libya, Spain, Libya, Malta and Portugal and observer delegates from Arab Maghreb Union - AMU, European Commission and Union for the Mediterranean - UfM.

The 5+5 Dialogue is a multilateral Forum established in Rome in 1990 to strengthen cooperation between the countries of the area in sectors of common interest, such as science, technology, innovation and higher education. Since 2017, The National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS hosts the Secretariat of the Forum at its headquarters in Trieste and is delegated by the Italian Minister of University and Research - MUR to represent Italy in the activities of the "Group of Senior Officials" (GSO).

On the opening session of the conference, the Mauritanian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr. Mohamed El Amine Ould Abi Ould Cheikh El Hadrami, underlines how Mauritania, during the two-year presidency and for the years to come, is counting on the 5+5 Dialogue to strengthen cooperation in the fields of research, innovation and higher education in order to promote responsible and sustainable economic growth.

At the end of the morning, the Ministers of Education, University and Research signed the Nouakchott Declaration for Research, Innovation and Higher Education. The signing of the document concludes the Mauritanian presidency passing the turnover for the next two years 2022-2024 Presidency to Portugal.

Furthermore, the Ministers committed themselves to the signature of the work plan for the two-year period 2022 - 2024 in order to strengthen cooperation and conducive synergies in scientific research, innovation and higher education and to promote social cohesion, youth employment and sustainable development in the western Mediterranean region.

The approved work plan reaffirms Italy's commitment to promoting and strengthening skills in the blue economy sectors through the initiative "Blue Skills to feed jobs in the Euro - Mediterranean Region" coordinated by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS in collaboration with international and institutional partners.

To review the video and photos from the fifth Ministerial Conference you can visit this website.
 

The first Ministerial Conference on Research and Innovation of the Union for the Mediterranean was held on the 27th of July. Research and Innovation Ministers from the 42 countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) met for the first time to discuss ways to promote scientific cooperation on climate change, renewable energy and health. 

The Research and Innovation Ministerial declaration seeks to exploit the potential of research and innovation, to increase the resilience of the Euro-Mediterranean region against environmental, food security and socio economic challenges, as well as to promote science diplomacy. 

In the framework of UfM current promotion of projects the BlueSkills Initiative can be identified as one of them. The BlueSkills project promotes opportunities for “Blue” marine and maritime careers by developing skills, exchanging knowledge and valorising research for a more sustainable Mediterranean Sea. By supporting the Euro-Mediterranean communities of the Blue Economy stakeholders through higher education, research and innovation, the project enhances the shared knowledge of the Mediterranean Region.
 

Codeway - Cooperation Development Expo, the first trade fair dedicated to international cooperation, will take place in Rome from 18th to 20th May.

The event is conceived as a gathering opportunity between public actors, NGOs and companies in order to promote opportunities and solutions for tackling crucial new challenges that are essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

The National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics in collaboration with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region, the Provincia Autonoma di Trento under the Nicosia Initiative will contribute on the 20th of May, in a session dedicated to the cooperation between Italy and Libya on the following topic: “The Nicosia Initiative as an instrument of cooperation between local administration within the Rebuild Project: the Italian model of local administrations to link the Autonomous Province of Trento, the Autonomous Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and the Municipalities in Libya.”
 

You can find more information in the programme on the official website of the Codeway Expo at this link: https://www.codewayexpo.com/programma-2022/

The Pilot Action - Fishery within the framework of the Rebuild Project is now launching a Call for Local Experts aiming at making available a comprehensive traceability system for the supply chain in the fishery sector in order to ease the commercialization of fish at local and international markets.

This pilot project is the follow-up of PATH-DEV, a project managed in 2017-2019 by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region and five Libyan coastal municipalities (Sirte, Zliten, Benghazi, Tripoli, Tobruk) in the framework of the Nicosia Initiative. The management of the pilot project is led by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region, with the technical assistance and cooperation of the Italian National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS).

The Pilot Action is looking for a:

• Local Project Manager
• Local Expert - Fishery
• Local Expert - Fishery Certification
• Local Expert - Fish Processing
• Local Expert - Fishery Supply Chain
• Local Expert - Laboratory Analysis
• Local Expert - Refrigeration

Extended deadline on Friday 20th of May 2022

The Terms of Reference (TORs) and further information are available at this link.