As part of its commitment to building key partnerships with like-minded organizations, the College of Law (CL) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) recently participated in the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities’ (ASSELLMU) annual conference. 

Held in Settat, Morocco from November 4-5, the conference brought together leading environmental law scholars, practitioners and policymakers to discuss legal innovations and approaches to climate change impacts affecting the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). 

The conference also represented an opportunity to advance efforts to integrate the teaching of climate change law in law school curricula. 

Sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme, the ASSELLMU conference was co-hosted by Hassan the First University, Settat, Casablanca. Morocco’s Laboratory for Research on Comparative Democratic Transition, and LexisNexis Middle East and North Africa joined HBKU as strategic partners for this year’s event. 

Speaking after the conference, Dr. Susan L. Karamanian, Dean of CL said: “It was an honor to extend the college’s strategic partnership with ASSELLMU for a second consecutive year. Doing so reflects that we are increasingly at the heart of debates currently shaping global legal discourse. These include efforts to enhance and expand the academic teaching of climate change law. Due to its geographical location, Qatar has more than a passing interest in this particular issue. It’s also why we’re committed to developing teaching options that traverse civil law, common law, and Sharia systems.”

“This year’s conference has greatly highlighted the important roles of academics, and non-academics, from financial, government, and industrial spheres, in addressing the deep vulnerabilities of the MENA region with regards to the dangerous implications of climate change. HBKU’s College of Law, as well as the newly inaugurated expert committees of the ASSELLMU, will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to unearth practical training, research and innovative solutions to these problems,” said Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi, associate professor of law and chair of ASSELLMU.
The College of Law regularly hosts public lectures, conferences and other events to discuss the diverse legal systems that inform Qatari law as well as complex events and transactions, both in the region and around the world. 

For more information, please visit cl.hbku.edu.qa.