EMUNI was launched on 9 June 2008 during the first Slovenian EU Council Presidency and was included in the Joint Declaration of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean as one of the six priorities of the Union for the Mediterranean, the successor to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, also known as the Barcelona Process.

As State Secretary Štucin pointed out in his speech, EMUNI was founded 15 years ago as a visionary initiative based on the belief that education, research and cooperation are essential for building a better future. Today, at a time of profound geopolitical changes that affect both our present and our future, the promotion of good relations in the Mediterranean is paramount. Working together and building strong partnerships in the region is more important than ever. EMUNI has shown that education is a powerful tool with which to bridge differences and promote cooperation in areas of common interest such as sustainable development, climate change, cultural heritage and economic growth.

On the occasion of this important anniversary, the State Secretary congratulated the EMUNI President, Prof. Dr Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry, for his years of dedicated service and called for reflection on the challenges ahead. He expressed the sincere wish of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs that EMUNI continue to serve as a platform for the exchange of knowledge, best practices and the development of joint initiatives to address the challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

They also announced the winner of the Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Camp, launched by EMUNI at the end of 2022. Supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and in collaboration with the Jožef Stefan Institute, the aim of the camp is to promote innovation and creativity among young people and help them to develop and implement their ideas.