One year after its launch, the Pact for the Mediterranean is delivering concrete benefits and new opportunities for citizens, businesses and communities on all shores of our shared sea.
Today, the European Commission and the European External Action Service presented to representatives of EU Member States and Southern Mediterranean partners the updated Action Plan, which highlights the progress made under the Pact's first set of actions under the Action Plan , alongside nine new key initiatives.
These bring the total to 30 initiatives under the Pact, advancing the EU and its partners' shared ambition to build a connected, prosperous, resilient and secure Common Mediterranean Space.
Key achievements and new actions
First pillar – People. Driving Force for Change, Connections, and Innovation
Progress has been made across the eight actions under the first pillar, including important steps towards establishing the Mediterranean University, which will strengthen transnational education and research through closer cooperation between universities and academics. Work has also advanced on innovation and research centres to support scientific collaboration, skills development and competitiveness across the region. Other actions, including the MED Skills Tracker, are advancing to help young people develop skills and access employment opportunities. These efforts pave the way for the new Mediterranean Youth Skills and Jobs Initiative, announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address this year.
The updated Action Plan introduces two new actions. The first is the establishment of a Mediterranean Science Diplomacy Centre to serve as a regional hub for coordination, capacity-building and knowledge exchange. The second is an initiative raising awareness about the benefits of sport for physical and mental health across the region.
Second pillar – Stronger, more sustainable and integrated economies
Progress has been made across four actions under the second pillar, including the launch of the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED) on 9 June. The T-MED Investment Platform is already in place to build a pipeline of renewable energy, grid and clean-tech projects, combining EU financing and risk-sharing instruments to attract investment and industrial partnerships, with investment of €25 billion expected to be mobilised.
The StartUp4Med , to promote inclusive growth and decent job creation is also on track, along with the Surging Women's Employment Initiative (SWEI), launched on 23 September 2026 together with UN Women, to create 500,000 jobs for women in sectors with high growth potential. Around 900 companies across the MENA region and the Gulf have already committed to implementing the Women's Empowerment Principles underpinning the programme.
The updated Action Plan introduces six new actions, such as measures to modernise and strengthen trade and investment relations and promote sustainable transport for a better-connected region. Several climate-related actions for a clean transition, sustainable growth and resilience are also included, alongside the Blue Mediterranean Mission fostering a blue economy and water resilience.
Third pillar – Security, preparedness and migration management
Progress has been made across nine actions under the third pillar, including the European Firefighting Hub, a centre based in Cyprus, which extends disaster preparedness and response support to southern Mediterranean countries for the first time. Six aircraft were pre-positioned at the Paphos airbase to strengthen preparedness for the 2026 fire season, and partners also participated in a regional wildfire workshop in May 2026, identifying shared priorities and needs.
The MED-OP action, which will support operational efforts to combat serious and organised crime in cooperation with Justice and Home Affairs agencies, will be launched on 11 November at the first regional dialogue on internal security between the EU and partner countries. The Secure Borders action will be launched at the same time to strengthen operational and institutional border management capacities and security sector governance. The first EU-MED Peace and Security Forum will take place on 18 November in Brussels and provide an informal setting to foster joint regional situational awareness, share views and coordinate approaches on issues of common interest.
The Action Plan is also delivering in preventing illegal migration and fighting smuggling and trafficking in human beings. Actions under the Talent Partnerships were undertaken in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, to better align labour migration pathways with labour market and employer needs in sectors such as transport, tourism, hospitality and construction.
The updated Action Plan introduces one new action to strengthen protection for vulnerable migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the southern Mediterranean through a regional, whole-of-route approach.
Next steps
Amid an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape, the EU remains committed to strengthening partnerships across the Mediterranean. The Action Plan is a flexible and dynamic document that will be regularly updated and adapted to the changing context through continuous consultations with stakeholders and partners, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness.
Another update to the Action Plan is expected in Spring 2027.
An interactive webpage has also been launched to allow stakeholders to identify concrete projects and initiatives, explore them by country and sector, and follow their progress, ensuring transparency and engagement while showing the tangible impact of the Pact across the region.
Background
The Pact for the Mediterranean was adopted by the College in October 2025, ahead of its official launch by EU and Southern Mediterranean partners on 28 November 2025.
Rooted in the principles of co-creation, co-ownership and shared responsibility, it is the result of an unprecedented, and inclusive consultation process, ensuring alignment with the real needs and aspirations of the citizens on both shores of the Mediterranean.
The Pact is a joint effort between the EU, its Member States and the Southern Mediterranean partners to work together on shared priorities for a connected, integrated, prosperous, resilient and secure Common Mediterranean Space.
The initiatives proposed under the Pact were welcomed by Member States during the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 November 2025 , as well as at the European Council meeting of 18 December 2025 . Leaders called for a swift and efficient implementation, underpinned by principles of co-creation, co-ownership, mutual interest and joint responsibility.
