The FutureMed initiative emphasizes the critical need for international cooperation with North African and Middle East countries to address climate change challenges and reduce regional disparities. The Eastern and Southern Mediterranean region faces unique vulnerabilities, including extreme heat, water scarcity, desertification, and socio-economic disparities that exacerbate climate change impacts.
FutureMed aims to build a unified regional response to climate change that addresses shared vulnerabilities, reduces disparities, and enhances resilience across borders.
Collaboration across eastern and southern Mediterranean countries is vital for several reasons:
- Addressing Cross-Border Climate Impacts: The interconnected nature of climate risks, such as water scarcity, food security, and migration, necessitates a coordinated regional response. FutureMed aims to establish collaborative frameworks that enable eastern and southern Mediterranean countries to work together on shared challenges, such as managing water resources or developing early warning systems for extreme weather.
- Promoting Regional Knowledge Exchange and Joint Research: FutureMed seeks to bridge the knowledge gaps between northern Mediterranean countries and the eastern and southern Mediterranean region by fostering joint research initiatives. This includes the co-development of climate adaptation strategies tailored to the unique socio-economic and environmental contexts of eastern and southern Mediterranean countries.
Within the FutureMed Action strategies to achieve Eastern and Southern Mediterranean Cooperation are:
- Capacity Building Through Cross-Border Initiatives: Training workshops, exchange programs, and joint research projects will be organized to build expertise in climate science and adaptation strategies among Eastern and Southern Mediterranean countries. This will include short-term scientific missions and collaborative case studies to ensure that knowledge is shared effectively.
- Establishing Strong Ties with Eastern and Southern Mediterranean Institutions: FutureMed will prioritize partnerships with research institutions, NGOs, and governmental agencies in Eastern and Southern Mediterranean countries. This includes engaging with local experts and decision-makers to ensure that solutions are grounded in regional realities and tailored to local needs.
- Data Sharing and Common Platforms for Risk Assessment: The initiative will promote the use of shared data repositories and climate modeling tools to improve regional risk assessment. Open data platforms will facilitate the exchange of climate-related information, helping Eastern and Southern Mediterranean countries to better anticipate and respond to climate impacts.
- Joint Development of Adaptation Tools: The initiative will support the co-creation of decision-support tools that address the specific challenges of Eastern and Southern Mediterranean countries. These tools will be developed with input from local stakeholders and will consider factors such as water management, agriculture, and urban planning.
