For a second consecutive year, the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) will be a strategic partner in the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities’ (ASSELLMU) annual conference. 

Taking place in Settat, Morocco, from November 4-5, the conference brings together leading environmental law scholars, practitioners and policymakers to discuss legal approaches to tackling climate change with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In doing so, participants will consider how MENA countries can advance investment in climate-smart infrastructure that reduces greenhouse gas emissions while helping societies adapt to climate change. The conference also represents an opportunity to help integrate the teaching of climate change law in law school curricula.

Sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme, the ASSELLMU conference will be 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 join HBKU as strategic partners. 

Speaking ahead of the conference, Dean of the College of Law Susan L Karamanian, said: “We are delighted to represent HBKU as the strategic partner in this year’s ASSELLMU conference. Our partnership builds upon our successful hosting of last year’s event and demonstrates that the College of Law is at the forefront of key debates shaping regional and global legal discourse. We’re particularly keen to lead discussions to advance the teaching of climate change law, a subject that is just now gaining traction in major law schools of the world yet one in which the College of Law has unique expertise given the work of Dr. Damilola Olawuyi, an expert within the college.” 

HBKU Associate Professor of Law and Chair of ASSELLMU, Dr. Damilola Olawuyi, added that: “ASSELLMU, a brainchild of the College of Law, fills a significant gap. It fosters dialogue and inquiry into the teaching, research, practice and implementation of environmental law throughout the MENA region. Building on the gains of the inaugural conference, this year’s conference will allow stakeholders in government, business, private practice and academic spheres to exchange information on progress made so far, as well as innovations that could enhance legal preparedness for climate change in the region.”

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.