The Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASSELLMU), the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), and the University of Jordan, cordially invite you to the 4th MENA Environmental Law and Policy Scholars’ Conference.

The conference is sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme; SADER Legal Publishing; and with technical collaboration and partnership of the Rule of Law Programme Middle East and North Africa, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V; the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law at HBKU; and the Jordanian Society for Climate and Sustainable Development. 

This conference builds upon the achievements of its first three conferences held in Doha (Qatar) in November 2018, Settat (Morocco) in November 2019; and Doha (Qatar) in November 2021. 

The ultimate goal of the conference is to bring together environmental educators, university teachers, trainers, practitioners and researchers to exchange knowledge, experience and learn from each other on how to strengthen biodiversity law practice, education and implementation in the region. As on previous occasions, it will provide a platform for sharing and exchanging information on the necessary resources, skills, approaches, and methodologies needed to equip students and future environmental administrators in the region with law and governance skills to advance the SDGs relating to biodiversity.

In acknowledgment of the importance of biodiversity to the MENA region, the plenary session and workshops will provide an opportunity for sharing information on how to enhance capacity for biodiversity law development and implementation in the region. 

The program will cover national, regional and international law aspects on four (4) main substantive topics:

• International Environmental Law on Biodiversity: Key multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) that, through their effective implementation, can advance the SDGs on biodiversity in the MENA region, specifically through issues related to sustainable management of forest, wildlife, marine, wetlands, and coastal resources.
• Domestic and Regional Approaches: Latest developments in the regulation of biodiversity across the region, including the applicable legislation, institutions, and key legal innovations in biodiversity conservation and management, including access and benefit sharing.
• Evidence-based Learning for Biodiversity Protection: The role of environmental law education in advancing biodiversity protection in the MENA region. Innovative educational techniques, legal tools, best practices, research, resources and simulation models that can enhance legal and institutional capacity on biodiversity protection in the region.
• Practical Applications: Current capacity development gaps and needs of environmental law agencies and ministries in the region, and how they can be met.

Keynote and Plenary Speakers

• Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Patricia Mbote, Director of the Law Division,United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Dr. Nathir Obeidat, President, University of Jordan
• Philipp Bremer, Director, Rule of Law Programme Middle East & North Africa, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.
• Rany Sader, Chief Legal Innovation Officer, SADER Publishing 
• Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN,Professor and UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, College of Law, Hamad Bin Khalifa University; and Chair, Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities
• Randall S. Abate, Professor of Environmental Law George Washington University, USA
• Aisa Mustafa Hammadeen, Regional Vice-Chair for West Asia, IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy
• Dr. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, Director General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies

Workshop Chairs

• Dr. Omar Khataibeh, Al Khataibeh Center for Arbitration, Jordan
• Dr. Riyad Fahkri, Professor, Hassan First University of Settat, Casablanca, Morocco
• Dr. Walters Nsoh, Associate Professor of Energy and Environmental Law, School of Law, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
• Dr. Mohsen Abdollahi, Associate Professor, International and Environmental Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran
• Dr. Samira Idllalene, Facuty of Law, Universite Cadi Ayyad, Morocco

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