R27: Improving Dialogue and Cooperation in the Mediterranean  

Improving Dialogue and Cooperation in the
Mediterranean

Resolution to be submitted to the Global Greens 6th
Congress, Incheon, 8 – 11 June 2023

The Global Greens aim at reinforcing dialogue among member parties - especially
from different federations - by promoting a global north-south approach based on
mutual solidarity. The Mediterranean region, placed across three continents, is
a fragmented context facing unprecedented environmental and social pressures
leading to disruptive consequences: here the North-South divide is replicated at
scale.

On the one hand, desertification, pollution and rising sea levels are
complemented, among the others, by new and old international disputes, an
evolving demography and a labor market designed to marginalise women, young
people and migrants. On the other hand, the challenges posed by the ecological
transition will inevitably have an impact on the mutually dependent economies of
the region. In turn, these adjustments will affect workers and local
communities. In order to enable a Just Transition in the region (and globally),
the upcoming transformations require solutions resulting from a pluralist
process where environmental and social impacts are equally considered.

The region, confronted with geopolitical turmoils and environmental pressures,
is subject to instability and conflicts. As a vicious circle, environmental
pressure creates conflicts and, in turn, conflicts cause severe environmental
degradation. In reality, diversity and co-existence of different cultural and
social models are potentially the greatest strengths of the region. However,
political fragmentation hinders efforts to accomplish a collective understanding
of the climate fragility of the region. One way to overcome regional differences
stands in the historical necessity to implement a real Climate Diplomacy.

The challenges the region is exposed to are similar and intertwined:
Mediterranean green parties are in a perfect position to team up and deliver an
evidence-based assessment of the regional needs. In addition, they have the
capacity to come up with shared solutions capable of grasping the unitary,
though fragmented, dimension of this region.

Although it is apparent that the geopolitical centre of the world is shifting
towards Asia-Pacific, the constant evolution of the Mediterranean region will
not slow down. The extreme sensitivity of the region is also recognised at UN
level, including at COP 27, where the UfM organized the Mediterranean Pavilion.

Already in the past, the Global Greens have shown an interest in exploring how
to achieve a more structured approach to dialogue and cooperation in the
Mediterranean region. However, currently, green parties from Mediterranean
countries are lacking a forum to discuss common challenges, share knowledge and
formulate proposals.

The Global Greens, gathered in Incheon, state that: