KUWAIT: Kuwait is set to host the Fifth Business Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UFM) on Energy and Climate on Monday, as part of the “Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week.” The high-level gathering will bring together representatives from over 13 Arab and European countries, reflecting growing momentum in regional cooperation on sustainable energy and climate action.
Organized in collaboration with Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), the forum aims to foster dialogue among stakeholders from the Arab Gulf and Mediterranean regions. Discussions will center on energy transition, climate resilience, and the promotion of sustainable investment and innovation.
Speaking to KUNA ahead of the event, Hatem Aznak, Climate and Energy Projects Analyst at the UFM, described Kuwait’s hosting of the forum as a significant milestone for the Union’s outreach. “This marks the first UFM initiative held outside the Euro-Mediterranean region, representing a step forward in broadening our engagement and supporting regional ambitions in sustainability,” he said. This year’s edition will also feature a dedicated youth engagement event—an initiative designed to amplify the voices of young leaders in shaping energy and climate solutions. The Union emphasized its commitment to empowering youth and women across the region, recognizing their role as key drivers of change and innovation.
The forum is expected to draw strong participation from the private sector, particularly firms with joint interests spanning Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Gulf. Organizers anticipate that the event will catalyze new avenues for regional cooperation and investment in clean energy, positioning the Mediterranean as a strategic hub for sustainable business and climate innovation. Highlighting Kuwait’s strategic role in fostering regional dialogue, Aznak extended appreciation to the country’s leadership and institutions for their support. “Kuwait offers an ideal platform to build bridges between the Arab Gulf, the Mediterranean, and Europe in advancing shared climate and energy goals,” he noted.
In addition to plenary sessions and expert panels, the forum will feature the Kuwait International Exhibition, alongside workshops focused on climate adaptation, green financing, and the development of sustainable energy markets. The program is designed to support knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and the scaling of renewable energy technologies across borders. The previous edition of the forum was held in Cairo, Egypt, in October. The Union for the Mediterranean, an intergovernmental organization comprising European Union member states and 15 countries from the southern and eastern Mediterranean, aims to strengthen regional cooperation, inclusive development, and stability across the Euro-Mediterranean basin. – KUNA
