Building on its mission to address issues and policies from a comparative and international legal perspective, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) College of Law is organizing the 2019 Middle East Environmental Law Scholars Conference from November 4-5, 2019 in Settat, Morocco. Registration is now open for the conference that will see leading environmental law practitioners, scholars and policymakers come together to examine teaching Climate Change in the Middle East and North Africa. 

The Morocco conference will enable participants to assess current opportunities, challenges, best practices, and innovation in teaching environmental law, particularly climate change law and policy, in MENA universities. Participants will leverage their specialized knowledge to explore how best to advance investment in climate-smart infrastructure in the region.

Dr. Susan Karamanian, dean of HBKU Law, and a member of the event’s advisory committee, said: “Climate change is high on the global agenda due to the wide and severe impact of recent weather-related events. As MENA nations address the substantial challenges due to climate change, they face a growing demand for expertise in the subject, which drives the need for informed teaching of environmental law in universities.  

“Only by making environmental law more accessible and widespread at universities in the Middle East, can we hope to establish a legal framework to tackle the regional challenges presented by this environmental phenomenon. Building on the success of the inaugural 2018 conference, this year’s gathering will enable participants to examine effective approaches to expanding environmental law as a subject. Participants will also learn about how to best implement improved environmental laws and regulations.”

This year’s conference is sponsored by the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme and held in collaboration with Hassan the First University, Settat, Morocco; Laboratory for Research on Comparative Democratic Transition, Morocco; UN Regional Office in the Middle East and North Africa; LexisNexis Middle East and North Africa; and the Association for Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASELLMU). 

ASSELMU, launched at last year’s inaugural conference held at HBKU Law, is an umbrella association of full-time academics who conduct research, or teach environment-related law courses at universities in the region. Founding chair of ASELLMU and HBKU College of Law associate professor, Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi, is part of the conference’s scientific committee. According to Dr. Olawuyi “this year’s conference will significantly consolidate the achievements from the first conference. It will provide a platform for exchanging latest research innovations, as well as stimulating interest in the teaching of environmental law in universities across the MENA region.”

Topics to be explored this year include Environmental Law Teaching in the Middle East; Climate Change Impacts on the Middle East; Green and Climate Resilient Infrastructure; Climate Finance Initiatives and the Law; Building Capacity for the Green Economy; and Agriculture and Food Security.

High-level attendance is expected with keynote addresses by Elizabeth Mrema, director of the Law Division at the United Nations Environment Programme, and Aisa Mustafa Hammadeen, Regional Vice-Chair for West Asia, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy. Distinguished delegates from the Moroccan Ministry for Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests; and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development, amongst others, are also expected. 

For more information and to register to attend, please visit https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/academic-events/mena-law-conference