Day 2, 29 March 2022
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All times are GST - Gulf Standard Time, UTC/GMT +4 hours |
Time and Room |
Type of event |
Session Code |
Title |
MS Teams link for virtual participation |
09:00-10:30
Silk A
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Tracks
Open event
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MENA-T1001 |
Planning and Implementing Long Term Strategies for Sustainable and Inclusive Development
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Watch this event |
Organized by UNFCCC secretariat, 2050 Pathways Platform and The World Bank
In this session, participants will learn from government and non-government stakeholders on their efforts to prepare the grounds for developing long-term targets and LTLEDS. It will explore the regional challenges and opportunities regarding the design and implementation of long-term climate strategies as well as the effective translation of long-term strategies into short- and medium-term actions. This will be achieved through a panel discussion providing a platform to regional State and non-State actions to share experiences and lessons learned, along with a discussion on how development partners can enhance country-led efforts for long term low GHG development that support sustainable and inclusive growth while ensuring a just transition.
Speakers:
Ovais Sarmad, Deputy Executive Secretary, UNFCCC Secretariat
Adeel Abbas Syed, MENA Regional Coordinator Climate Change, The World Bank
Bernd Hackmann, Team Lead, NDC, LT-LEDS, Sectoral Support Unit, Mitigation Division, UNFCCC Secretariat
Richard Baron, Executive Director, 2050 Pathways Platform
Estefania Luraschi, Associate, 2050 Pathways Platform
Bouzekri Razi, Director of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Green Economy, Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Morocco
Simon Benmarraze, Head of Unit, IRENA Innovation and Technology Center, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Olatunji Yusuf, Senior Climate Change Specialist, Islamic Development Bank Group
Radia Sedaoui, Chief Energy Section, UNESCWA
Mahmoud Fathallah, Director, Department of Environmental Meteorological Affairs, Economic Sector, LAS secretariat
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11:00-12:30
Silk A
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Tracks
Open event
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MENA-T1002 |
Enabling Frameworks for Accelerated Energy Transitions |
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Organized by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Global Wind Energy Council
The MENA region is vast in challenges and opportunities in terms of the energy transition. While the region has vast renewable energy potential, it is extremely dependent on fossil fuels. IRENA estimates that tapping only 5% of the region’s renewable power potential would enable renewable energy to generate more than half of the electricity mix by 2050. This generation would primarily come from wind and solar PV energy, with smaller roles for hydropower and bioenergy. How can countries shift their focus to technologies on renewable energy like wind and solar PV energy, as well as those on energy efficiency, and implement policy frameworks which can mobilize private sector investment in these areas?
This session will convene policymakers, businesses, and civil society in the MENA region to discuss what country-driven ambitions, measures and policies are needed to create an enabling framework that supports an accelerated energy transition.
Speakers:
Gonzalo Muñoz, COP 25 High-level Champion
Diala Hawila, Programme Officer - Policy Advice, IRENA
Elizabeth Curmi, Director, Global Thematic Analyst, Citi Global Insights
Faisal Eissa, General Manager, Lekela Power Egypt
Amani Dibo, Development Director, Sustain the World
Nasma Jrondi, Senior Expert Climate and Decarbonisation, Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection
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12:30-14:00
Silk B
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Affiliated event |
MENA-PREEGY4 |
COP 27 Presidency: Vision and the Road to Sharm El Sheikh |
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Organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt and COP27 Presidency Team
Explaining the core pillars of Egypt's presidency of COP27
Speakers:
Mahmoud Mohie El Din, High-level Climate Champion
Mohamed Nasr-Climate, Environment and Sustainable Development, MFA Egypt
Ovais Sarmad, UNFCCC secretariat
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09:00-10:30
Silk B
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Tracks
Open event
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MENA-T2001 |
Linking Cities and Nature through Nature-Based Solutions to Build Climate Resilience in the MENA Region |
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Organized by MENA CW Partners
With the overarching aim of promoting Nature-based Solutions to reestablish the link between cities and nature, the session will focus on showcasing and exploring the multi-faceted opportunities and the potential of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the MENA region, as well as gauging the interest of governments in mainstreaming NbS in their urban and climate policies and plans. The session aims to propel the discussion on the wider adoption of Nature-based Solutions in the MENA region through gathering both party and non-party organisations in one place, including national, subnational, and local levels of government, Environmental NGOs, the private sector, and academia. The selected speakers will include decision-makers on the local level of government and climate change policy makers on the national level who have had previous experience with implementing NbS in their countries. The mainstreaming of NbS into national and local urban strategies and climate action plans could contribute to governments’ adaptation and mitigation commitments. This session contributes to the efforts taken in the run up to COP27, which will take place in the MENA region.
Speakers:
Ali Al Kayed, Head of Studies section/ construction department, Greater Amman Municipality, Jordan
Houcine Jrad, Mayor of Djerba, Tunisia
Mohamed Sefiani, Mayor of Chefchaouen, Morocco
Faizah Slehat, Project Officer - Water and Climate Change, IUCN, Regional Office for West Asia
Sonya Benjamin, Biodiversity, Ecology and Avifauna Expert Consultant, Biosphere Conservation Consulting Services
Giorgia Rambelli, Coordinator, Climate Policy & Energy Governance, ICLEI
Yara Eissa, Programme Associate, UN-Habitat ROAS
Yasmine Mostafa, Programme Officer, UN-Habitat ROAS
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11:00-12:30
Silk B
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Tracks
Open event
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MENA-T2002 |
Resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the importance of an inclusive, just and green recovery |
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Organized by MENA CW Partners
The session will demonstrate the importance of a resilient, inclusive, just and green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The issue will be framed by an overview of the socio-economic conditions facing the region in the region due to COVID-19 and other stressors affecting recovery efforts. Lessons learned from responding to previous health emergencies and planning for human and man-made disasters can support resilience will be shared to help guide the way forward. This will include how early warning systems and cross-sectoral exchange can strengthen resilience building on local and regional knowledge as well as nature-based solutions. The session will also discuss approaches for greening and climate-proofing health care systems. Innovative instruments for funding green recovery efforts through public, private and donor initiatives will also be shared.
Speakers:
H.E. Minister Nasser Yassin, Minister of Environment, Lebanon
Mohammad Hassani, Minister Assistant for Public Health Affairs, Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt
Carol Chouchani Cherfane, Director, Arab Centre for Climate Change Policies, Cluster Leader, Climate Change and Natural Resources Cluster, UN-ESCWA
Mazen Malkawi, Regional advisor, WHO
Hisham Dinar, Advisor for the General Directorate of Emergencies, Disasters & Medical Transportation, and the National Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, KSA
Said al Sarmi, Meteorologist, Met Oman, Oman
Jamal Saghir, Senior Advisor, Board Member, Global Center on Adaptation, Lebanon
Muawieh Khalid Radaideh, Minister, Ministry of Environment, Jordan
Nafaa Baccari, Director, Solar Energy, ANME, Solar Energy, ANME
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09:00-10:30
Silk C
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Tracks
Open event
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MENA-T3001 |
Digital Transformation for Climate Action |
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Organized by MENA CW Partners
Together with climate change, globalization and demographic change, digitalization is one of the developments that are shaping our world. Digital technologies have radically transformed the way we live over the past decades. Digital technologies can support climate action and open up untapped potential in many areas. According to a study developed by the World Economic Forum, digital technologies could already help reduce global carbon emissions by up to 15% – or one-third of the 50% reduction required by 2030 – through solutions in energy, manufacturing, agriculture and land use, buildings, services, transportation and traffic management. This corresponds to more than the current carbon footprints of the EU and the US combined.
The MENA region is already embracing the digital transformation. Many countries in the region are early adopters of cutting-edge digital technologies, with governments increasingly diversifying their economies. The public and private sectors have made significant gains in establishing a robust digital infrastructure that supports innovation and opens new economic possibilities. Yet there exists tremendous potential for radical climate action leveraging the digital transformation already underway in the region.
Digital technologies could be a game changer for the climate action in the region, which is facing pressing challenges related to energy security, aging energy grids, adaptation and resilience, food and water security, and extreme heat. Digitalization has deep ramifications in various sectors, including energy, building and agriculture, and may have socio-economic and environmental impacts which require scrutiny.
Digitalization can be a critical enabler for enhancing resilience, mitigating disaster risk, expanding access to solutions, and supporting the creation of sustainable and inclusive economies and societies. Nevertheless, such cross-cutting issues require a coordinated response from policy makers, practitioners, private sector actors as well as civil society to truly leverage the promise of digitalization for climate action.
In this session, stakeholders involved in the region across different sectors will provide insights about what digitalization for climate action can bring to the MENA region, and what can be done to help.
Objectives:
Highlight the main current challenges and opportunities for digitalization for climate action in the MENA region.
Shed light on the systemic change digitalization can bring through increased resilience of communities and a more efficient low-carbon economy.
Discuss the main socio-economic and environmental impacts of digitalization.
Identify actions, policies and investments needed to speed up digitalization for climate action in the MENA region.
Speakers:
Jauad El Kharraz, Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Effiicency
Leila Benali, Minister Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
Helmut von Struve, CEO MENA
Jauad El Kharraz, Executive Director, Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Jan-Willem Van de Ven, Head of Climate Finance and Carbon Markets, EBRD
Mohamad Abugaoud, Representative from the Greater Madaba Municipality
Vida Rozite, International Energy Agency
Norhan El Dallal, Integrated Development Group
Abdulaziz AlMulla, CEO, Madar Farms
Bradley Todd Hiller, Islamic Development Bank
Alessandro Modiano, Special Envoy for Climate Change
Chris Cormency
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11:00-12:30
Silk C
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Tracks
Open event
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MENA-T3002 |
Transformative Climate Action through Digitalization: Blockchain Technologies |
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Organized by MENA CW Partners
The session entitled "Transformative Climate Action through Digitalization: Blockchain Technologies" will bring speakers from the MENA region and beyond, exploring transformative climate action in the MENA region through blockchain. It will discuss opportunities, challenges and lessons learnt about the blockchain application to climate action, targeting the audience who are willing to engage in the region for transformative climate action through blockchain and digital technologies.
Speakers:
Marwan AI Zarouni, CEO, Dubai Blockchain Centre
Ameera Al Haranki, Youth Climate Action Leader
Miroslav Polzer, Executive Director, International Association for the Advancement of Innovative Approaches to Global Challenges (IAAI GloCha)
Jane Thomasson, Frontier Technology Leader
Tia Kansara, CEO, Replenish Earth
Faris AlSaqabi, Minister for Future Jobs & Capabilities at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
Mariam Nouh-Head, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Saudi Arabia
Princess Abze Djigma, Special Envoy of the President of Burkina Faso for SDGs and Climate Change
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14:15-15:45
Atlantis D
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Affiliated event |
MENA-PREUK02 |
Capacity building for access to climate finance: sharing experiences across MENA and implementing the COP Catalyst recommendations |
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Organized by COP26 UK Presidency
The aim of this hybrid session at the UN Regional Climate Week for the Middle East and North Africa region is to explore actions for implementation of the recommendations developed by the COP26 Catalyst Access to Finance Group, hear where MENA countries and partners are already applying recommendations, where there might be challenges to implementing recommendations and what countries would like to see in any guidance for capacity building for access to finance. This will also be an opportunity to hear how finance providers can respond to the recommendations, and what changes to ways of working and available schemes and programmes to support capacity building might be made.
Speakers:
Nancy Lee
Meera Srinivasa Murali
Janet Rogan
Mohamed Nasr
Bertha Argueta
Unnikrishnan Nair
Gareth Philips
Randa Mounir
Claire Holzer Fleming
Mahamat Abakar Assouyouti
Jafry Tahseen
Ruth Kattumuri
Romeo Bertolini
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15:45-18:45
Silk A
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Affiliated event |
MENA-PREUK04 |
COP 26 Futures We Want - Science Panel |
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Organized by UK Science & Innovation Network, United Kingdom in the United Arab Emirates, British Embassy
This event will provide an opportunity for you to hear from and interact with key academics from the UK and UAE as Governments, policy makers, civil society, academia and the private sector look to assess net zero solutions and how we obtain the ‘Futures We Want’.
Speakers:
HE Patrick Moody, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
Nigel Topping, UK High-level Climate Change Action Champion
Moderator:
Janet Rogan, COP26 Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and Africa
Panel Members:
Dr. Ludovic Dumee, Khalifa University
Prof. Adrian Fisher, University of Cambridge
Prof. Joseph Howe, University of Chester
Prof. Susan Krumdieck, Heriot-Watt University
Dr. Alejandro Rios Galvan, Khalifa University
Dr. Lata Sahonta, University of Cambridge
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13:45-15:45
Silk C
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE00600 |
Harnessing Nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate change adaptation in MENA |
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Organized by Islamic Development Bank and African Development Bank
The event will discuss Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as cost-effective solutions for climate change adaptation by protecting, sustainably managing, and enhancing ecosystems and habitats in a way that reduces the vulnerability of livelihoods and economic assets in North Africa and the Middle East
Among the main approaches raised will be the use of NbS for climate adaptation and Aligning Finance with Resilience that can help in realizing the potential of NBS for Infrastructure. The focus will be placed on how NbS have the potential to make infrastructure more resilient to climate change effects and add longer-term value to infrastructure assets. Thus, investments in NbS solutions have been identified as one of the main building blocks of a transition to a Green Economy.
The event will also present IsDB publication on Nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation, done with the support of UNEP.
Speakers:
Osama Ibrahem Faqaaha
Yasmine Fouad
Tarifa A. Alzaabi
Gareth Philips
Bradley Hiller
Abdourahmane Diaw
Daouda Oumar Ndiaye
Amer Bukvic
Syed Husain Quadri
Habib Auwal Abubakar
Uzma Suleiman
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09:00-11:00
Atlantis A (part 2)
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE00700 |
Building momentum to close adaptation knowledge gaps in the MENA region: Focus on climate-smart agriculture and nature-based solutions
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Organized by UNFCCC secretariat, UNEP-ROWA, UNFCCC-WGEO RCC MENA & SA, UNESCWA
Objective of the event:
- Showcase ongoing initiatives in closing climate smart agriculture and nature-based solutions adaptation knowledge gaps to address climate impacts in the North Africa and GCC subregions in the context of the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative (LAKI).
- Engage partners and participating organizations in the implementation of these initiatives.
- Spotlight the role of the LAKI as a joint initiative that convenes and engages experts from different international, regional, national and local agencies to take further steps in closing existing knowledge gaps to address climate impacts in the region.
Background:
Responding to the knowledge and resilience needs of countries through tailored information for knowledge users is crucial to implementing adaptation action – a key element of the Paris Agreement.
In the context of the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative (LAKI), the UNFCCC secretariat Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) is collaborating with the UNFCCC-WGEO Regional Collaboration Center for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia based in Dubai (RCC MENA & SA), the UNEP Regional Office for West Asia, and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)to close adaptation knowledge gaps in addressing climate impacts in the North Africa and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) subregions.
Several initiatives have been co-designed with LAKI partners through a series of virtual meetings with experts in these subregions. Building on the progress in 2021, the LAKI partners will continue to concretize actions and ideas in 2022 which will contribute to closing persistent climate adaptation knowledge gaps in the MENA region.
This event is an opportunity for government representatives, adaptation experts and practitioners, institutions, implementing agencies and networks in MENA and the Arab group of negotiators to gain in-depth understanding of the LAKI process and its outcomes.
It furthermore provides bilateral and multilateral donors with an overview of collaborative actions that are underway in closing adaptation knowledge gaps in addressing climate impacts in the North African and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) subregions as a result of the LAKI initiative.
Speakers:
Youssef Nassef, UNFCCC
Muna Al Amoodi, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates
Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment of the Arabic Republic of Egypt
Sahel Batayneh, National Agricultural Research Center NARC Jordan
Elsa Sattout, UNESCO
Theresa Wong, FAO
Bradley Hiller, Islamic Development Bank
Tarek Alkhoury, UN Environment Programme
Moderators:
Fatema Rajabali, UNFCCC
Tarek Sadek, UN ESCWA
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09:30-12:00
Atlantis B plenary / Action Hub Area
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE00800 |
Youth Event: Best Practices for Enhanced Youth Climate Action in the MENA Region |
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Organized by Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), UNFCCC Children and Youth Constituency (YOUNGO), Arab Youth Centre (AYC), World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), Regional Collaboration Center for MENA and SA, UNFCCC, World Bank Group (WBG), Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar and Federal Youth Authority (FYA)
A brief introduction to YOUNGO and Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) as context for an interactive panel discussion between youth and key climate actors, featuring examples of best practices and means to enhance the role of MENA youth in climate action.
The Youth-Circle on “The Road to COP27 and COP28” will take place at Youth Pavilion EXPO 2020 Dubai.
For futher infromation, please access: circles.youth.gov.ae.
Speakers:
Mohamed Maray Mohamed Elshikhi, YOUNGO
Selma Bichbich, YOUNGO
Elizabeth Gulugulu, YOUNGO
Disha Sarkar, YOUNGO
Deena Mariyam, YOUNGO
Amal Ridene, YOUNGO
Timothy Damon, YOUNGO
Xan Richard Northcott, YOUNGO
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14:00-18:00
Atlantis A (part 1)
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE01100 |
Marrakech Partnership regionalization workshop |
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Organized by High-Level Champions and Marrakech Partnership
As part of the Improved Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action for enhancing ambition that was welcomed by Parties at COP 26, the High-Level Champions and the Marrakech Partnership will convene a workshop to facilitate a deep understanding of the needs on the ground and gather regional perspectives. The aim of the event is to provide an overview of the functions and tools of the Marrakech Partnership, including the global campaigns to mobilize and align non-Party stakeholders (Race to Zero, Race to Resilience and the Glasgow Finance Alliance for Net Zero and the tools to drive systems transformation (Climate Action Pathways, 2030 Breakthroughs), and have a solutions-oriented dialogue on how to drive ambitious action across the region taking into account regional context and how the Marrakech Partnership can help.
Speakers:
Mahmoud Mohieldin, High Level Champion, COP 27 Presidency, Egypt
Nigel Topping, High Level Champion, COP 26 Presidency, United Kingdom
Marie-Hélène Nassif, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Mohamed Ghanem, Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, Egypt
Shada Al Sharif, Prime Minister Office, Jordan
Khashman Khaldon, Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACWUA)
James Grinnell, Dubai Regulatory and Supervisory Bureau International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) representative
Salam Al Momany, Carbon Reduction and Energy Efficiency in Water Utilities, GIZ
Mohamed Zahran, World Youth Fourm
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09:45-11:15
Atlantis D
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE01500 |
The New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance - an Arab perspective |
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Organized by WGEO and UNFCCC MOI
The UNFCCC secretariat, in cooperation with the Arab Group of Negotiators and the World Green Economy Organization, will convene the first consultation between the co-chairs of the ad hoc work programme on the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance and climate finance experts from Arab States.
At COP 21 in Paris, Parties decided to set a new collective quantified goal on climate finance (NCQG) from a floor of USD 100 billion per year. The new goal will be set in 2024 and take into account the needs and priorities of developing countries.
At COP 26 in Glasgow, Parties established an ad hoc work programme from 2022 to 2024 on the NCQG, to be facilitated by two co-chairs. The co-chairs of the work programme on the NCQG for 2022 are mandated to maintain regular consultations with the constituted bodies as well as United Nations agencies, climate finance experts, academia, private sector and civil society actors with a view to informing the work programme. In Glasgow Parties also decided to conduct four technical expert dialogues per year, with one to be held in conjunction with the first regular sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies and one to be held in conjunction with the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement, and the two remaining dialogues to be organized in separate regions with a view to facilitating inclusive and balanced geographical participation.
This event will provide an opportunity for the co-chairs to consult with experts from and operating in Arab States, including representatives from governments, multilateral and bilateral financial institutions, international and regional organizations, academia, private sector and civil society, on their views, expectations and priorities related to the process of setting the NCQG on climate finance.
This event will also present an opportunity for the co-chairs of the ad hoc work programme to provide an update on the outcomes of the first technical expert dialogue (24-25 March 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa).
Speakers:
Albara Tawfiq
Federica Fricano
Kishan Kumarsingh
Mohamed Ibrahim Nasr Salem
Daniele Violetti, UNFCCC
Helmy Ghazi
Yolando Velasco, UNFCCC
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16:00-18:00
Atlantis D
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE02100 |
Dialogues: The long-term green transition – pathways to enhancing and implementing low GHG development - MENA Regional Dialogues |
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Organized by World Green Economy Organization and UNFCCC secretariat
The Glasgow Climate Pact reemphasizes the urgent need to address the scale of the global climate challenge and has requested Parties to revisit and strengthen the 2030 targets in their nationally determined contributions, submit LTLEDS and accelerate the development, deployment and dissemination of technologies, and the adoption of policies, to transition towards low-emission energy systems. The achievement of the Paris Agreement and the enhancement and implementation of ambition requires a holistic approach with the engagement of all sectors and stakeholders delivering towards a green economy pathway. This event will bring together policymakers and key stakeholders from the region to discuss, deliberate and share information, good practices, and the challenges and opportunities specific to the region to advance the development and implementation of ambitious LTLEDS, NDCs and sectoral policies to support the achievement of the Paris Agreement and aligned with green economy principles.
This event is supported by the Government of Japan.
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14:00-16:00
Atlantis E
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE02900 |
Dialogue on Water Scarcity and Migration: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development in the MENA region |
Watch this event
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Organized by International Organization for Migration (IOM)
The Midde East and North Africa (MENA) faces a complex set of interconnected challenges and is particularly exposed to the adverse effects of climate change. The region is already the most water-scarce region in the world, with over 60% of its population living in areas with high water stress. Regional water scarcity is the result of diverse factors, including climate change leading to rising temperatures, droughts, floods, saltwater intrusion into freshwater, diminished river flows and limited groundwater resources. While 56% of the region’s population lives in cities, the agriculture remains a critical source of income and employment and the sector consumes 80% of current available freshwater resources.
Today, war, conflict, and unemployment are more influential drivers of migration and displacement in the MENA region than events related to water, such as drought. But as the effects of climate change intensify, these historical mobility patterns may evolve. In areas that lack good governance, climate change could exacerbate vulnerabilities and create tensions over water resources, leading to a vicious cycle of water insecurity and fragility. Water insecurity is felt most acutely by the millions of forcibly displaced and their host communities. Water infrastructures are also targeted in conflicts in Gaza, Yemen, Syria, and Libya, leaving hundreds of thousands without access to water. The region also faces the greatest expected economic losses from climate-related water scarcity, estimated between 6 and 14% by 2050.
Several MENA countries have improved access to water services over the last decades, but their achievements are threatened by water depletion, unplanned urban expansion, governance issues, conflict and the impacts of climate change. Water shortages will contribute to seriously affect food security and livelihoods of millions of people in the region, to compound existing security challenges and to exacerbate the causes of migration and displacement4. Water scarcity will also threaten the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, the long-term socio-economic development and stability of the region.
Building water security in the MENA region is essential to strengthen the resilience of communities across the region to climate-related shocks, through addressing their ability to immediately respond to extreme weather events, whilst decreasing their long-term vulnerability to climate variability through preparedness and adaptation. Increased cooperation and dialogue between humanitarian, security, peace and development actors is also needed to respond to the multiplying effects climate change might have on already existing conflicts, water disputes, instability and displacement in the MENA region and to better protect and assist migrants, forcibly displaced persons and host communities.
This event will discuss the complex and interconnected challenges of climate change, water, displacement, migration and conflict in the MENA region, the most recent findings of IPCC AR 6 report and will call for increased attention and investment in climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction, water governance and sustainable development measures to reduce related risks in the region.
Speakers:
Ovais Sarmad, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC (TBC)
Dr. Luis Augusto Becerra Lopez-Lavalle, Chief Scientist, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)
Dr. Emad Adly, General Coordinator of RAED “Arab Network for Environment and Development”
Rania Ahmed, Deputy Regional Director, MENA, IFRC
Pr. Thanasis Hadzilacos, Adjunct Professor, The Cyprus Institute
Eng. Heba Al Hariry, BSc., MSc., Advisor (Water and Disaster Risk Reduction), United Nations
Sayeed Mohammed, Director, Knowledge, Policy and Strategy, Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar
Dr. Mohamed Abdel Aty, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Egypt (TBC)
Caroline Dumas, DG Special Envoy on Migration and Climate Action, IOM
Moderator:
Manuel Marques Pereira, Head of Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, IOM, Geneva
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16:30-18:30
Atlantis B plenary / Action Hub area
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE02800 |
C4C Youth4Climate Fireside Chats |
Closed event |
Organized by Connect4Climate – World Bank Group |
09:30-13:30
Atlantis A (part 1)
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Affiliated event
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MENA-AE03000 |
Challenge Design Workshop – Innovative Solutions for Resilient Infrastructure and Construction in Cities |
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Organized by Global Manufacturing Organisation Limited, Mohammad Bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity, GMIS initiative and UN Habitat
The Mohammed bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity will conduct a series of ‘Challenge Design Workshops’ in collaboration with UN-Habitat to explore the key ideas required to develop a more sustainable and resilient construction and infrastructure sector. Following a design thinking approach – that is, idea iterations and solution development in a collaborative dynamic workshop context, the workshops will bring together policy makers, industrial technology experts, academic representatives, and some of the world’s leading incubators, accelerators and start-ups and SMEs to engage in in-depth round-table discussions that provided an informed and holistic perspective around the theme “Resilient Infrastructure & Construction”.
Speakers:
Dr. Kai Bruns, Entrepreneurship Education Designer & Business Coach
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14:00-15:30
Atlantis B plenary / Action Hub area
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE00801 |
Networking Session by YOUNGO |
Join this event |
Organized by UNFCCC Children and Youth Constituency (YOUNGO)
A networking session between youth and both Parties and other non-Party stakeholders for the purpose of expanding partnerships and enhancing collaboration in the area of MENA youth climate action. Small group discussions will facilitate the exchange of views and identification of synergies. The networking session will be followed by the official closing of the Youth Event from 15:15 to 15:30 hrs.
Speakers:
Mohamed Maray Mohamed Elshikhi, YOUNGO
Selma Bichbich, YOUNGO
Elizabeth Gulugulu, YOUNGO
Disha Sarkar, YOUNGO
Deena Mariyam, YOUNGO
Amal Ridene, YOUNGO
Timothy Damon, YOUNGO
Xan Richard Northcott, YOUNGO
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12:00-13:00
Altantis E
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Side event |
MENA-SE0016 |
Scaling up the hydrogen economy through international partnerships |
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Organized by German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and Guidehouse Germany GmbH
Across the globe, countries have adopted ambitious climate targets to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement: Germany wants to reduce emissions by 65% and reach net-zero by 2045. The UAE plan to dramatically scale up renewable energy supply and reach net zero by 2050. Saudi Arabia’s net-zero target is set for 2050. In reaching those widespread decarbonization goals, green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy, will play a key role.
The MENA region features vast renewable energy resource potential making the countries in the region prime candidates for green hydrogen production. Particularly countries on the Arabian Peninsula are leading the way with several successful pilots for green hydrogen. Many Gulf countries have historically built their economies on income from fossil fuel resources and their emissions per capita are currently among the highest across the globe. In view of the mounting challenges of climate change, however, this economic model is being challenged. Against this backdrop, the hydrogen economy can help achieve decarbonization targets, build future-proof economic value chains and create job opportunities for generations to come.
International cooperation can be a key catalyst for accelerating the global energy transition and for slowing down climate change by facilitating the scale-up of green hydrogen production. One example for such cooperation are the energy partnerships and dialogues Germany has established with many countries across the globe including in the MENA-region. The cooperation focuses on energy efficiency, renewable energy and hydrogen and sector coupling. Together, Germany and its partners initiate joint projects, facilitate knowledge exchange, and cooperate on research and development, to speed up the energy transition and support the uptake of decarbonization solutions such as green hydrogen.
The proposed side event will shed light on the importance of international partnerships for green hydrogen uptake in the MENA region:
The one-hour session will to be structured as follows:
Introduction: Energy cooperation and the role of hydrogen for decarbonization (5 min). Including a short video on Germany’s energy cooperation with the countries of the Gulf region as an example.
Part I: Three short presentations by business actors on bilateral and multilateral green hydrogen cooperation projects in the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia or other MENA countries (10 min each). Business actors will report on key challenges they faced when implementing international hydrogen projects and how they were overcome.
Part II: Discussion round: “How international partnerships can accelerate the hydrogen economy: Lessons from successful pilots in Gulf countries for the wider MENA region.” (25 min).
Goal: Assess key success factors and catalysts for project implementation and the role of accompanying policy support and international cooperation.
The round will include business stakeholders from Part I and government representatives from Germany (BMWi) and countries in the region as well as potentially other key actors on international cooperation such as IRENA (tbd).
Speakers:
Karin Zangerl, Director Abu Dhabi Office, German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK)
Henrik Schult, Senior Consultant, Guidehouse
Manuel Kuehn, Head of New Energy for Middle East and Africa, Siemens Energy
Emanuele Bianco, Hydrogen Expert, International Renewable Energy Agency
Harley Higgins-Watson, International Affairs Senior Executive, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
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10:45-11:45
Spice A - Room A Davos 6
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Side event |
MENA-SE0047 |
From falaj to tahliyat al-miy’ah: Local approaches to water management for climate resilience in the Middle East & North Africa |
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Organized by Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA), the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and The Adaptation Action Coalition (AAC)
Building a just, inclusive, and climate-resilient future is not possible without reliable, safe, and accessible water resources. At the same time, we know from the latest IPCC report that climate change is contributing to increasing water variability in many places, including the Eastern Mediterranean. Communities in the Middle East and North Africa have already adapted to thousands of years of water scarcity; today they are combining their traditional water diversion systems, falaj, with cutting-edge desalination (tahli-yat al-miy'ah) projects. But are these methods climate resilient? Meaning, are they both flexible enough to adapt as the climate changes, while robust enough to withstand such change without risking catastrophic failure? And how can we ensure that they are able to function effectively for decades – even centuries – to come? The Adaptation Action Coalition (ACC), co-led by Egypt and the United Kingdom, is working to enhance climate resilience at the national level across all sectors, including water. Over the past year, the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) and its partners have been working with the AAC to co-develop a new tool for national climate planners called the Water Tracker. The Water Tracker takes a whole-of-government approach, helping countries to assess the water needs of their climate plans, bringing together leaders from around the globe to share good practices in adaptation and demonstrate the importance of placing water at the center of resilient climate planning. The Water Tracker is currently being piloted in Egypt, Malawi, and Costa Rica. Following a successful event showcasing initial results at COP26, several more countries have signed up to apply the Water Tracker to their national climate plans in 2022. This side event will bring together national representatives from the MENA region, civil society organizations, and local experts to showcase the work of the AAC on water and climate resilience, demonstrating the value of combining local solutions with global methodologies to ensure a future that is both climate-resilient and water-secure for people, ecosystems, and economies.
Speakers:
Ingrid Timboe, Policy Director, Alliance for Global Water Adaptation
Ayman Amin Tharwat, Co-Chair of the Adaptation Action Coalition, Government of Egypt
Henk Ovink, Special Envoy for International Water Affairs, Government of the Netherlands
Eman Syed, Head of the Planning Sector, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Government of Egypt
Muhammad Abdul Ati, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Government of Egypt
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12:00-13:00
Spice B
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Side event |
MENA-SE0105 |
Renewable Energy Driving Climate Action towards Net-zero in 2050 across the MENA Region |
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Organized by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The UN Secretary-General recently called for renewable energy and green resilient infrastructure to be prioritised in order to put the world on track in 2021. IRENA responded to this call and devised global strategies towards net-zero and a climate-safe 1.5°C pathway by 2050 in its 2021 World Energy Transitions Outlook.
Beyond enhancing NDCs, promoting holistic policymaking can help devise national strategies truly address multiple socio-economic objectives and enable an inclusive and just transition. In doing so, it is crucial to ensure coherence among sectors affected by energy transition, such as, water and agri-food value chain, provision of essential public services (health, education) and promotion of productive use of energy.
This event will present the latest findings on the energy transition drawing from IRENA’s flagship publication World Energy Transitions Outlook: 1.5°C Pathway (2021 edition) and contextualize it to the MENA context. Further, it will showcase the many options that MENA governments have to help them navigate towards an energy transition by exploring existing technology and innovation solutions for implementing mitigation and adaptation measures.
Building on these insights, representatives from MENA governments will provide insights into the work being done in their respective countries to achieve the proposed climate action goals, as well as showcase examples of new patterns of socio-economic development achieved through prioritization of renewable energy development.
A panel will discuss current initiatives, as well as outline the main achievements and challenges encountered in the MENA context and identify key opportunities for incorporating development needs to achieve low-carbon climate safe energy systems.
Speakers:
Zoheir Hamedi, Regional Programme Officer, IRENA
Gauri Singh, Deputy Director General, IRENA
Belal Shaqarin, Director of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Environment
Mohammed Ouhmed, Director Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainble Development
Pierre El Khoury, Director Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation, Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation
Nawal Al Hosany, UAE Permanent Representative to IRENA, UAE permanent representative to IRENA
Gurbuz Gonul, Director CEP, IRENA
Reem Korban, Associate Programme Officer, IRENA
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13:45-14:45
Spice B
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Side event |
MENA-SE0018 |
Water Resilient Food Systems under Climate Change |
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Organized by International Water Management Institute, Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and FAO
The consequences of a more unpredictable and riskier water cycle on the MENA region, detailed in the IPCC AR6 report, demands urgent action if we are to meet future food and water needs of the people there. In this region, the development of resilient food systems and sustainable healthy diets for all call, requires much larger water use, but these resources are limited and needed for other vital functions. Water use in food systems needs to be brought within the natural limits of the region and reflect the “new normal” hydrological conditions. If innovations are harnessed and systems carefully managed, transformations in food-water practices and policies can bring climate mitigation and adaptation, and a social and environmental space that considers water and food needs of people alongside that of the ecosystems that provision them. Achieving transformations of water resilient food systems will require a compact between national and local government, communities and the private sector that bring together bundled solutions that integrate technology, data services, enhanced governance and policy.
This session will bring together policy and law makers, farmers and water professionals, financiers, insurers and donors, implementers and researchers from across water and food systems who are tackling challenges of the climate and biodiversity crises. The opening framing will highlight the challenges faced by ministers and law makers in selected countries. The Wadi-side Chat will then explore these issues in more detail drawing on experience of leaders from different settings from across the region and world. In the final part of the session there will be a call to action followed by a focus on solutions that can be used to help build resilience in food and water systems, including nature based ideas.
Speakers:
Sandra Ruckstuhl, Special Advisor to the Director General and Senior Researcher, Climate Change Adaptation, IWMI
Rachael McDonnell, Deputy Director General, Research for Development, IWMI
Anders Jagerskog, Senior Water Resources Management, Global Water Practice, World Bank
Ali Hayajneh, Water and Clima Change program Manafer, IUCN
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15:00-16:00
Spice B
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Side event |
MENA-SE0055 |
The Green Finance Facilities Ecosystem: a USD 3tn opportunity for Africa |
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Organized by AfDB - IsDB
Green Banks (GB) or Green Financial Facilities (GFF) and National Climate Change Funds (NCCF) are institutions that support a pipeline of bankable green projects through grants and project preparation services. These innovative structures have a vital role to play in mobilizing finance for national carbon reduction targets and climate resilient green development. Around the world, an increasing number of countries and states are developing GB/GFF to mobilize funds through a “blended finance model” to leverage and increase private sector climate-related investments. Africa can benefit from GB/GFF’s to increase country-driven capacity to access and mobilize climate finance to support the implementation of NDCs and related national climate and development goals.
Through a panel of representatives of existing African Green Banks/Funds and Institutions like the AfDB, NDF who support this initiative, the event will bring perspectives on the approach to and added value of Green Banks/Green Finance Facilities to African Countries and Financial Institutions.
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16:15-17:15
Spice B
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Side event |
MENA-SE0099 |
Non-Party Stakeholder Collaboration and Accountability for Science-based, 1.5° C, Resilient Action |
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Organized by CDP
Drawing upon insights from CDP’s global environmental disclosure platform, the session will showcase ambition of non-state actors (NSA)' near- and long-term actions aligned with the 1.5C pathway, demonstrating how they can be aligned to national commitments, and ultimately contributing to a nature-positive within the planetary boundaries that serves both people and planet. The session is structured to include key note speeches, to set the scene, followed by a panel discussion to document practical experiences and to explore the following aspects: -How disclosure of state- and non-state actors increases transparency, leading to accountability, and catalyses environmental action in the race to zero and resilience. -How bold environmental policies, NSA climate leadership, and collaboration reinforce the ambition loop. -How NSAs in the MENA region can meaningully engage in the near- and long-term towards achieving a 1.5C and resilient future. The event will convene a diverse panel of climate leaders in the region, from subnational government, companies, financial institutions and civil society, to bring into an engaging and diverse dialogue, and ensuring gender parity. As international processes take stock of climate action by NSAs, this discussion is particularly timely, and demonstrates why tracking and measuring progress economy-wide is critical.
Speakers:
Pietro Bertazzi, Global Director for Policy Engagement and External Affairs, CDP
Nigel Topping, UK High-Level Champion
Venetia Bell, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, GIB
Bram de Graaff, Director, Economics and Sustainability Advisory, PwC Middle East
Nick Baker, Deputy Director for Business and Engagement, COP26 Unit, UK Cabinet Office
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12:00-13:00
Spice A - Room A Davos 6
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Side event |
MENA-SE0080 |
Bridging the gap between commitments and action for a 1.5 degree resilient world: Cities and local governments going to scale |
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Organized by ICLEI Africa - Race to Resilience
Whilst the Glasgow Climate Pact agreed at COP26 is an important step. It is not enough. As stated by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in his wrap up message at COP26. “Our fragile planet is hanging by a thread. We are still knocking on the door of climate catastrophe. It is time to go into emergency mode — or our chance of reaching net-zero will itself be zero.”
We see nations working more closely with non-state actors than ever before to tackle climate change. There is momentum, yet the commitment and action gap is still significant.
At the city and local government level - water, food, nature, ocean, transport, energy and industrial systems are all interconnected and being impacted by climate change. The urgency to build climate resilience across and within sectors at a city level has never been higher. To build this resilience, Global South nations who have done the least to cause climate change, but bear the brunt of the impacts, need finance, but only 5-6% of total global climate finance flows to adaptation and resilience actions. This must change if we are to keep global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees. This session will showcase the step-change that is occurring in Global South cities and regions from around the world, particularly in the MENA region, in implementing innovative actions that build climate resilience, by unlocking finance and harnessing local political will. This session will bring together front-running leaders who are leading working in their respective cities and regions in the MENA region to build local resilience in ways that offer new insights of relevance to the world. Topics that will be covered include:
- Harnessing nature-based solutions to reduce community vulnerabilities,
- Organizing the appropriate policies, strategies and instruments to unlocking climate finance at the local level, and
- Building resilient food systems that are climate responsive.
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15:00-16:00
Spice A - Room A Davos 6
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Side event |
MENA-SE0044 |
Enhancing agrifood system priorities in the NDCs |
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Organized by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Agriculture and land use are a key node for transformative action in climate change. At COP26, countries committed to continue working on Agriculture, targeting the adoption of a COP27 Decision for establishing a financing mechanism to support action on the ground. Addressing this need, FAO is launching the Regional Analysis of Nationally-Determined Contributions in the Near East and North Africa: Opportunities and Gaps in the Agriculture, Water and Land Use Sectors. The analysis is a landmark publication that analyzes the NDCs of NENA countries on the risks, actions and needs in the agriculture, forestry, and land use sectors. The session will comprise a presentation of the findings followed by a panel discussion by 3 countries on their progress in revising and implementing AFOLU and water priorities in the NDCs. Countries will discuss, with the help of a facilitator, questions on how the Koronivia process can be leveraged to enhance climate action in agriculture and landuse; coordination processes and stakeholder engagement around priority setting for the sector; and how countries are leveraging finance and innovative solutions to scale up transformation.
Speakers:
Qu Dongyu, Director General, FAO
Ibtisam Abuhaija, Ministry of Agriculture,
Ayman Amin, Minister Plenipotentiary, Deputy director of Environment and Sustainable Development Department - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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16:15-17:15
Spice A - Room A Davos 6
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Side event |
MENA-SE0004 |
Fairness and Justice in Advancing Climate Finance for Adaptation & Resilience |
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Organized by The Centre for Climate Justice Glasgow Caledonian University
Building resilience of women and girls and to help them cope with a changing climate requires climate finance to be directed at investing in supporting their adaptation needs now rather than what is currently commonplace; reactive mode directing investment to climate disasters as they happen. The focus of this event is putting the spot light at how climate finance can be enabled in terms of ‘investing in people – especially women and girls’; supporting their mental health and wellbeing from the impacts of climate change, and findings creative and innovative ways to build resilience so that they can lead economically strong households. To do this requires a fundamental step change in lending structures, policy and programme design and rethinking how to mobilise the climate finance to those who need it the most. We intend to frame the conversation around 3 pillars; changing mind sets and vision in development institutions and banks, radical change in programme design, development, how to incorporate aspirations and needs of women and girls and measuring/demonstrating impact in terms of equity, inequality and climate justice.
Speakers:
Tahseen Jafry, Director The Centre for Climate Justice, Glasgow Caledonian University
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders
Gonzalo Munoz, UN High Level Climate Action Champion
Balgis Osman-Elasha, Chief Climate Change Officer for North Africa, African Development Bank Group
Gareth Philips, Manager Climate and Environment Finance, African Development Bank Group
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17:30-18:30
Spice A - Room A Davos 6
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Side event |
MENA-SE0014 |
Building Climate Change Resilience in Jordan – Partnerships, Approaches, and Lessons for Transformational Change |
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Organized by Mercy Corps and UN Habitat
Climate change is increasingly affecting vulnerable communities in Jordan, as the country simultaneously grapples with social cohesion and rapid population growth. Despite being one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, floods are a common hazard in Jordan, with intensity and frequency expected to increase due to climate change. Previous refugee arrival waves, including of Palestinians and Iraqis, and the indefinite presence of Syrian refugees continues to be a source of tension in the country, causing increasing levels of citizens' mistrust in local government entities and their ability to fairly manage shared resources such as water and land. Rapid population growth and public works have caused land use change, such as the decrease of land that can absorb rainwater - elevating the risk of flashfloods.
With over 7 years’ experience in delivering flood resilience programming across multiple countries, Mercy Corps, a proud member of Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, and UN- Habitat are currently working with Government of Jordan and flood prone communities to support the resilience of vulnerable communities in Jordan so that they can adapt with climate change.
This event features recent analysis by Mercy Corps and UN Habitat that a clear opportunity exists for building community governance structures for disaster risk management with strong ties to local authorities, where community has significant strength in their social capital that can be leveraged for collective action in a disaster. This event will therefore highlight how climate change exacerbates social instability in flood vulnerable communities in Jordan; and emphasize the need to address both social capital and physical capital to support climate vulnerable communities to adapt to climate change. The session will further provide recommendations on effective approaches and scalable solutions for transformational change.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Mercy Corps and will bring together representatives from Government of Jordan, UN agency, donor, research institute, private sector and field staff from Mercy Corps Jordan. The discussion will focus on issues around how to create and sustain local leadership for climate adaptation, and provide recommendations on how national governments, donors, private sector, and civil society organizations can work together to identify opportunities and scale solutions.
The session will also showcase a media video for a “virtual tour” that visually displays the risk and impacts communities face and actions that are being taken to address those risks.
Speakers:
Shorouq Aburazzouq, Project Team Leader, Mercy Corps
Lubna Shaheen, Senior Urban Programme Officer, UN-Habitat
Belal Shqareen, Director of Climate Change Directorate, Ministry of Environment
David Nash, Climate Change and Partnerships Senior Manager, Zurich Foundation
Haneen Hassouneh, Executive Director, Sustainable Community and Development Association (SCDA)
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13:45-14:45
Spice A - Room B Davos 6
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Side event |
MENA-SE0006 |
Building the Future of Mobility: The shift to sustainable, low and zero emissions transport |
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Organized by International Association of Public Transport (UITP), SLOCAT and International Union of Railways (UIC)
The rail and public transport sector will play an important role in getting both our economies and people moving again. Based on integrated urban planning and strong governance, by embracing digitalisation, innovative and sustainable solutions towards mobility challenges, the public transport and rail freight sector is at the core of the global transition towards a “new normal”, while ensuring the contribution to a more resilient, cleaner and safer post-pandemic world. Significant investments in rail and public transport projects show that the MENA region is witnessing a clear paradigm shift towards more public transport and “Building the Future of Mobility”. The side event will provide an update on MENA transport projects from transport leaders in the region, which equate to more than $100 billions worth of investments, upcoming investment opportunities and plans for MENA cities and lessons learned from authorities regulators from delivering action on the ground. The event will help to provide decision makers with concrete recommendations and technical considerations needed to improve rail freight, daily urban mobility and the quality of daily life for all citizens, which represents an area of untapped potential in national efforts and contributions necessary to align efforts with the Paris Agreement and make NDCs more ambitious in 2022.
A moderated panel discussion will include short presentations and discussion with a panel of 4-5 individuals from diverse perspectives and geographies on sustainable mobility strategies applicable in the Middle East and North African region. The panelists will include enthusiastic champions of sustainable mobility and the public transport and railway sector from the partners and global/regional members of UIC, UITP, SLOCAT, CETMO and GTMO 5+5 (Group of Transport Ministers for the Western Mediterranean). Speakers will be selected from National and Regional Administrations, Policy Makers and Regulators, Infrastructure Managers, Transport, New Mobility and Logistics Operators, Sectoral Institutions, Corporations and Academia.
Speakers:
Chris Dekki, Director, Global Advocacy & Engagement, Slocat
Nada Jasmin, Director, Safety, Risk, Regulation and Planning Department, RTA
Omar Mehyar, Global Lead Transport Specialist, Economic and Social Infrastructure Department, IsDB
Yarob Badr, Regional Advisor Transport and Logistics, UNESCWA
Khaled Jamea Yousif Ajjah, Assistant Manager Intermodal Business Development, Etihad Rail
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17:30-18:30
Spice B
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Side event |
MENA-SE0091 |
PwC Middle East’s Reimagining our region through ESG |
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Organized by Pricewaterhousecoopers Middle-East
Addressing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues is rising on the agenda of public sector regulators and leading businesses in the Middle East. Pressure is coming from consumers, employees, board members and investors. For example, the latest PwC ME CEO survey 2021 highlighted that ESG is a topic that is growing in interest for the Middle East region; 35% of CEOs plan to increase spending investment by 3-9% over the next three years, and 11% plan to increase by over 10%. Similarly, the PwC ESG Consumer and Employee survey 2021 also found that 83% of consumers think companies should be actively shaping ESG best practices and 86% of employees prefer to support or work for companies that care about the same issues they do.
To get a deeper understanding of key ESG concerns, PwC Middle East is now conducting a ground-breaking survey targeting heads of sustainability (or equivalent) in 2000 companies and government bodies. Companies across different sectors will be targeted, including (but not exclusively) banking and capital markets, oil and gas, construction, healthcare, retail, and transport. Companies and government policy makers are also being interviewed as part of the process. The survey aims to explore how important ESG concerns are in the region, what is driving this interest and key areas of concern such as climate change, biodiversity, and human rights among others, as well as how it will evolve with time. It will also Illustrate the level of maturity of ESG for corporates (from compliance driven through to leadership aspirations) and the potential for transformation across sectors to address climate change and other important topics. It will also explore key barriers hindering action on ESG as well as their possible solutions.
The aim of this side event is to launch the preliminary results of this survey and facilitate dialogue between businesses and government bodies across the region on the implications of the results. The audience will include anyone involved in MENA Climate Summit, survey participants and civil society organisations. The event is planned to 1.5 hours with the following proposed agenda:
- Welcome & introduction (5 mins)
- Survey results (30 mins)
- Q&A (10 mins)
- Panel discussion (with up to 4 key organisations) (45 mins)
- Closing (5 mins)
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13:15-14:45
Silk A
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Side event |
MENA-SE0021 |
Innovative responses to cascading climate risks: Case studies from Iraq, Jordan and Oman |
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Organized by Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs), Department of Geography, Sultan Qaboos University, Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS), American University of Iraq and CASCADES project
As the new CASCADES report on climate impacts in the MENA region shows, the Middle East is at the forefront of dealing with compound climatic, environmental and socio-economic risks. Looking at several successful examples from the Middle East region, this session will ask what is needed to incentivize, finance and scale up the kind of practices, infrastructure and technology that will meet climate challenges while also contributing to national economic transition goals – be that towards sustainable diversification away from oil and gas dependence, or green economy. In particular, it may consider circular approaches to waste-water management in Jordan, instituting flood management and recharge groundwater in Oman, and improving livelihoods and crop yields sustainably in Iraq. The session will aim to raise awareness of the ways in which such innovative MENA country responses can improve future approaches to climate resilience and inform international partnerships to achieve them.
Speakers:
Noura Al Nasiri, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Meshal Abdullah, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Ali AlKarkhi, Humat Dijlah Association, Iraq
Salman Khairalla, Humat Dijlah Association, Iraq
Ahmad Shaqar, Water Authority of Jordan
Glada Lahn, Chatham House (Chair)
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15:00-16:00
Silk B
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Side event |
MENA-SE0050 |
The role of sustainable finance Market in Transition to a Green, Robust and Resilient Post-COVID Future |
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Organized by Islamic Development Bank
This event will highlight the roles that green sukuk market plays in global green growth and transition effort and the lessons learned from different stakeholders and players in Islamic finance and green growth industries.
- The session would explore the role of the green/sustainability sukuk market in bridging the financing gap and how green Islamic finance products such as green sukuk can help economies build back better a robust and resilient post-COVID future.
- Identify ways to optimize and leverage Islamic finance products and instruments to address financing gaps and accelerate the implementation of sustainable development goals across IsDB sub-regions.
- Illustrate the role of MDBs and Green Investors in supporting country efforts to mobilize more Islamic finance products for their low carbon and climate-resilient interventions.
Speakers:
Habib Abubakar, Senior Climate Change Specialist, Islamic Development Bank
Gareth Phillips, Manager Climate Finance and Environment, African Development Bank
Zakky Bantan, Manager Treasury Department, Islamic Development Bank
KPMG, Advisor ESG, KPMG
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16:15-17:15
Atlantis E
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Side event |
MENA-SE0026 |
Children Speak Up |
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Organized by Save the Children International
Through a generation of youth-led social movements with a strong focus on storytelling, a youth voice on climate action continues to grow and many children around the world are already leading the way on climate change and inequality action. Building on the commitment of the Egyptian Government at the World Youth Forum, we must support children to be a meaningful part of youth engagement and urgently address the connected crises of economic inequality and climate change. We will do this by ensuring children have a voice at the table when climate action and decisions are being made, to ensure the voices of those children most impacted by climate change are heard and listened to, including supporting Children to Speak Up at the MENA Climate Week in Dubai, 2022. This will be a hybrid 60-minute event with a high-level panel in the room and children joining remotely from Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The dialogue will be led by children, speaking about the impact of climate change on their lives and their communities, and the actions they want to see taken forward on this. Children will prepare different themes of discussion based on their experience of climate change, and will highlight key recommendations for the high-level panel members to help guide the discussion in creative ways, which may include story-telling, or sharing artwork.
Speakers:
Nourhan Abdel Aziz, Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media Director, Save the Children Egypt
Ekin Ogutogullari, Regional Director, Save the Children Middle East and Eastern Europe, Save the Children International
Amr Essam, Senior Advisor, COP27 Presidency Team, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt
Ambassador Doctor Haifa Abu Ghazalla, Undersecretary of Social Affairs, League of Arab States, League of Arab States
Omran Fyad, Member of the Technical Committee of the Children Women and Family Department, League of Arab States
Her Excellency Reem Al Falesi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Childhood and Motherhood, High Council of Childhood and Motherhood
Ms. Anupa Lamichhane, Regional Manager, Asia Pacific, Green Climate Fund
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16:15-17:15
Spice A - Room 8 Davos 6
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Side event |
MENA-SE0124 |
Multi-stakeholder innovation and partnerships to drive climate action in MENA |
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Organized by APCO Worldwide
Historically, the MENA region has been a bastion of innovation that has significantly contributed to the development of humanity, and climate action is not the exception. This has been in part thanks to the cooperative environment that prevails in the region, which enables and accelerates the formation of partnerships between the private and public sector, together with multilateral organizations and civil society. The present side event will showcase leading examples of how local and global company´s offices in the region, in conjunction with partner governments and originations, are implementing ambitious climate mitigation and adaptation actions that are not only contributing to fight against climate change in the region, but that have a global impact and, more importantly, an example that can be easily replicated in other regions.
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17:00-18:00
Virtual event
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Virtual side event |
SE-0093v |
Cascading & Localizing Climate Finance: The Next Frontier Market? |
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Organized by FMDV - Global Fund for Cities Development and AMPCC Moroccan Association of Mayors
This session introduces key initiatives illustrating the still unleashed potential of the Climate Financing Value Chain « continuum » from international funding and financing to subnational climate action.
Examples of integrative approach, encompassing international, national and subnational channelling of resources for transactions supporting local infrastructure projects financing will be showcased with a specific focus on the Moroccan flagship and innovative National Program for Climate Financing Subnational Action, called SISTIF.
Challenges and barriers for an integrative financing value chain and Solutions/Initiatives already delivering and needing scaling up and out:
- Inspirational initiatives for: partnering for success, addressing the Subnational Project Preparation & Match Making Gaps, showcasing key initiatives linking all levels of action and multi-stakeholder coalitions
- Gain and disseminate an overview of the latest innovative programs developed in the MENA Region including Parties, Multilateral, bilateral, national and subnational development banks/agencies; Coalitions of Investors and other partners along the financial value chain on project preparation and match making, and consequently identify, reinforce and demonstrate convergence among the actors involved in this key issue for the MENA region transition and transformation.
- Define a joint strategy between coalitions and stakeholders – under the Global Action Framework for Localizing Climate Finance integrated in the MPGCA Human Settlments Pathway - to align Global and National efforts to Local and Regional Governments efforts in supporting NDCs implementation
- Build bridges and encourage partnerships among constituencies in order to obtain sufficient financing for each stage of project preparation for SDG11 and local climate action implementation.
- Link investors and projects, filling the gap between supply of and demand for urban climate finance; sustainable, inclusive and resilient development; capacity building efforts that better position local and subnational governments and their partners to take action and access funding
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16:00-17:00
Virtual event
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Virtual side event |
SE-0024v |
Regional climate ambition and credibility for COP 27 |
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Organized by WWF
COP26 delivered outcomes reflecting the stark reality of collective climate ambition and finance. With COP27 in Egypt, 2022 is a crucial year for the MENA region to explore their role in closing the ambition gap on mitigation and adaptation to ensure countries are collectively on for 1.5d; and in closing the credibility gap, ensuring long and short term pledges and action are also in line.
The subject for discussion will be to explore to what extent MENA NDCs reflect strong mitigation and adaptation ambition; what the role is for decision-makers in fostering highest ambition in the face of multiple development challenges; and opportunities for regional and national (and global) leadership. In doing so, we will draw on the work of WWF’s holistic assessments of NDCs in the region through the NDCsWeWant checklist, providing a framework for Parties in the region to consider the COP26 request for updated NDCs in 2022.
This event will also reflect on a possible roadmap to Sharm El-Sheik for the region. In doing so we will bring together the UK presidency and its campaigns of COP26 (cash, cars, coal, and trees), with activities and opportunities in MENA.
This event belongs to a stream of relevant discussions on ambition by WWF during LAC, Asia-Pacific and Africa climate weeks in 2021.
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14:00-15:00
Virtual event
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Virtual side event |
SE-0084v |
Environmental Reporting - Measuring and Managing local and regional Climate Impacts? |
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Organized by CDP
The international environmental charity Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) would like to host a side event under 2 with the aim of introducing its cost-free services to local and regional stakeholders the MENA region.
Why CDP
CDP hosts the CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting system which guides cities, States and regions to identify, formulate, prioritise, and their climate change related risks and vulnerabilities. As a holistic planning tool, it also guides participants to reflect on which groups are particularly impacted by the identified risks. Subsequently, the questionnaire supports cities in drafting adaptation plans for the identified risks and to adopt adaptation actions that include the needs of vulnerable groups. The reporting system can be used to annually the progress against set targets.
In 2021, more than 1000 cities participated, including 27 MENA cities, and CDP aims to increase its support in this region.
Proposed Workshop
A 2 side event is particularly suitable because locally led climate-resilient development including a focus on the integration of vulnerable groups is a main pillar of CDP’s work. Based on an analysis of the outcomes of the 2 discussions in the Africa Climate Week 2021, CDP would like to host a webinar addressing several key issues that participants identified in the main sessions. These key issues are consistent with CDP’s experience working in both, the African and Middle Eastern region, and similar issues are likely to arise in the MENA Climate Week as well.
A key issue raised was the need for a strengthened data system to formulate risk assessments and inclusive policies and plans as well as the ability to the progress of adaptation actions. CDP would therefore like to present its free reporting system that aims to fulfil this need and highlight how it directly supports participants in their individual journey to improve local and national climate actions.
Moreover, participants expressed the need for regional collaboration, data sharing, and capacity building. CDP facilitates knowledge-sharing through thematic group webinars with different stakeholders from the same region, comparative reports, and access to the free Open Data Portal. In the webinar, CDP can demonstrate how interested stakeholders can browse its Portal to get inspiration from adaptation plans and actions from other reporting cities, States and regions. Moreover, CDP can showcase how it works as a hub for cities, States and regions to get connected to other environmental initiatives. When responding to the CDP questionnaire, cities can also join the UN-backed global Cities Race to Resilience Campaign for which the CDP questionnaire is a core requirement.
Another identified key issue was that the need for science-based policies and plans to attract investments for adaptation actions. In its webinar, CDP would like to address this, by introducing its scoring system and individual science-based feedback services which support participants in improving their adaptation plans, actions, and targets every year. Moreover, CDP would like to present its Matchmaker Portal which focuses on connecting cities in need of funding for their climate actions with green investors.
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16:00-17:00
Virtual event
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Virtual Side event |
SE-0077v |
Climate Change and Health under the Gender Lens |
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Organized by International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA)
According to the WHO report on “Climate change and health research: Current trends, gaps and perspectives for the future”, there remains a huge gap of evidence on the interlinkage between climate change and health and even a wider gap on Gender-disaggregated data, as well as the impacts of climate change on the
health of vulnerable communities. In addition, in the MENA region specifically, an enabling environment for all genders to meaningfully engage in climate and health action is not adequately provided. This has been evident in the UNFCCC 2021 Gender Composition report that indicated that “women government delegates occupied, on average, 33 percent of all constituted body positions in 2021, as was the case in 2020 and 2019”. This represents a simple example of not just the lack of equal gender representation, but also the absence of sufficient powerful improvement plans over the years. Therefore, we find it is of utmost importance to ensure that a gender lens is present in the climate and health action to ensure a healthier climate and healthier planet for all.
The side event will have the following outline:
Introduction through sharing some evidence and data on the interlinkage between gender, health and climate change
Panel discussions involving climate activists addressing the issue of gender in the climate change and health space
Open Space Discussion for sharing experiences, thoughts and inputs on how to improve the gender inclusivity in the climate action on national, regional and international levels
The outcomes of this side event will be used by the IFMSA to plan advocacy and mobilization of their medical students on the national, regional and international level and ensure that gender-inclusive environments are present in the climate action field within the IFMSA and outside it.
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18:00-19:00
Virtual event
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Virtual Side event |
SE-0005v |
Targeted Strategies for MENA Specific Climate Change Implications |
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Organized by Middle East Institute's Climate - Water Program
This Side Event hosted by the Middle East Institute’s Climate and Water Program will include a panel of experts affiliated with the Middle East Institute to assess and discuss three main critical topics:
1. MENA’s current vulnerability to climate change
The MENA region’s vulnerability to climate change has escalated over the last few years as demonstrated by record breaking peak summer temperatures in the Middle East due to extreme heat, more frequent occurrences of extreme weather events associated with severe tropical cyclones forming in the Indian Ocean and striking the Arabian Peninsula (e.g. Cyclone Shaheen), enhanced wildfire activity in North Africa and the Levant, and the challenging coupling of drought and flooding due to short and intense precipitation events over the Nile River Basin. These impacts correspond to real consequences to public health and safety, infrastructure lifespan and maintenance, and the reliability of water resources and agricultural production.
2.How projected increases in global warming will impact the MENA region
The future of the MENA under higher levels of global warming, as indicated by projections of global temperature increases from the IPCC sixth assessment report, is highlighted by an intensification of the region’s current vulnerability to climate change. Higher global temperatures exacerbate extreme heat in the region, leading to more heat-related illnesses and places pressure on cooling requirements for people and critical infrastructure. Tropical cyclones originating from the Indian Ocean will occur with more frequency and severity, leading to more landfalls in the Arabian Peninsula with corresponding damages and fatalities. Coastal communities and agricultural districts around the Mediterranean (North Africa, Levant, and Turkey) will be more vulnerable to sea level rise and wildfires. More extreme flooding events are anticipated to occur in surface water systems like the Nile River Basin and other high-elevation snowpack-driven rivers due to earlier and larger snowmelt.
3. Specific climate adaptation and mitigation strategies for the region
These current and projected climate change implications to the region add a sense of urgency to adapt and mitigate. However, broad climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change need to be molded to best suit the particular climate change challenges that the MENA region currently faces and is expected to face in the future. These targeted strategies may include enhanced cooperation and coordinated reservoir operations between riparian nations that share surface water systems to better manage flooding events, advance warning systems and protection measures for dangerous and extreme weather, preventative public health initiatives that mitigate heat illness and death due to extreme heat, and rapid suppression and response protocols for wildfires during high heat index summer days.
Speaker:
Mohammed Mahmoud, Director of Climate and Water Program, Middle East Institute
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16:00-17:00
Virtual event
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Virtual Side event |
SE-0032v |
Meeting the density demand - the urgent opportunity to build quality, decarbonised and resilient buildings in the Middle East & North Africa |
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Organized by UN High Level Climate Champions Team and #BuildingtoCOP Coalition
55% of the world’s population live in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. The transformation of human settlements into urban environments must address both scarcity of resources and equitable growth. However rapid urbanisation risks exacerbating existing disparities in access to quality places and spaces, due to lack of residential capacity at both pace and scale.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region is home to 65.9% of the world’s urban population. Additionally, the presence of informal settlements hinders the ability of cities to deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits to their residents. The Greater Cairo City Region for instance, has two thirds of its residents living in informal settlements (according to the Cities Alliance).
With increasing population growth and rapid unplanned urbanisation, there is mounting demand for buildings. Without immediate action, construction of urban housing and its associated infrastructure will significantly deplete global resources.
Subsequently, given that construction and the use of construction materials are huge contributors to global emissions, the pace and scale of this required housing construction has the potential to significantly exacerbate carbon emissions. The impact of this would disproportionately affect regions like MENA, where climate change is already causing extreme heat surges along with widespread drought stresses. Our buildings are already coming under increasing pressure with a changing climate, jeopardising their very essence of providing housing and shelter.
This event will seek to establish how buildings must avoid ‘locking’ emissions in inefficient and unsafe new residential construction in MENA, whilst simultaneously addressing the huge need for rapid delivery of climate-resilient housing. The lag between design and construction means that such housing needs to be developed now.
Underpinning the rapid urbanisation and development of new buildings will be the need for skilled workers to deliver quality developments. The emerging understanding is that a transition to modern methods of construction such as pre-fabrication could offer more jobs, available to a more diverse workforce than those currently offered in the construction market. However, in the context of rapidly developing economies, understanding impacts and perceptions of these technologies on the labour market will be critical.
The UN High Level Climate Champions team will convene a chaired discussion to explore this immediate opportunity from two perspectives:
We will showcase local community-led projects to evidence exemplar ground-up projects and action which can be scaled up.
Highlight radical collaboration opportunities - examples of national and local governments as well as the private sector working together to advance green buildings and the role of the green buildings sector in meeting urbanisation challenges in the MENA region.
Potential moderator:
Elizabeth Wangeci Chege, Chair of Africa Regional Network, World Green Building Council
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13:00-14:00
Virtual event
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Virtual Side event |
SE-0035v |
Nature-sensitive renewable energy deployment in MENA: successes, challenges & opportunities |
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Organized by BirdLife International and United National Convention of the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UN CMS)
Increasing deployment of renewable energy on a global scale has been identified as a key mechanism to reduce emissions and limit warming to 1.5°C. At the same time, associated threats to biodiversity are rapidly multiplying. Renewable energy can help revitalize the economy by generating green jobs, ensuring energy security, improving clean air and health benefits, and strengthening community resilience. However, if located in the wrong place or without safeguards, these developments can have significant and detrimental impacts on wildlife, key areas for biodiversity and the wider contributions to people that nature provides. Building on the momentum of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26 in Glasgow and the handover of the UNFCCC COP Presidency to Egypt for COP27, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure positive outcomes for nature, climate, and people with strong leadership from across the MENA region.
This webinar seeks to showcase key mechanisms and innovative tools for the nature-sensitive deployment of renewable energy, such as those that are being established through the United Nations (UN) Convention on Migratory Species’ Energy Task Force (CMS ETF), a leading global multi-stakeholder platform. Examples will be drawn from across MENA and where appropriate more widely, to highlight transferrable opportunities for the region.
Key experts from across the renewable sector in MENA as well as specifically in countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Ethiopia and Morocco will explore examples of how nature-sensitive renewable energy deployment is becoming increasingly championed and mainstreamed by governments, industry, international finance institutions and other stakeholder groups. Amongst other key successes in the region, the event will highlight initiatives such as the award-winning Migratory Soaring Birds (MSB) Project (https://migratorysoaringbirds.birdlife.org), which focusses on mainstreaming the conservation of migratory soaring birds within countries located along the Red Sea/Rift Valley Flyway. This project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the UN Development Program (UNDP).
Speakers will highlight opportunities for the scaling-up of such good practice approaches and demonstrate how the upcoming Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP15 and the UNFCCC COP27 provide opportunities to enhance synergies and deliver nature-sensitive renewable energy deployment for these joint agendas.
Speakers:
Osama Al Nourim, Project Manager BirdLife International
Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
Dr Ute Collier, Deputy Director, Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre, International Renewable Energy Agency
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19:00-20:00
Virtual event
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Virtual Side event |
SE-0058v |
From COP 26 Glasgow Commitments to COP 27 Egypt Opportunities: The MENA perspective |
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Organized by Liberal International
The panel discussion is intended to bring a vast array of influential experts and politicians that are either from the MENA region working on environment related issues, or from other regions in the world that have supported the implementation of net zero agenda in the region. Drawing from their rich expertise, the panel will aim to answer the following questions:
1. How will COP27, presided by Egypt, approach the issue of food security, in light of the latest IPCC report announcing grave warnings on land degradation and deforestation?
2. How will the Egyptian presidency push the developed world and the biggest emitters in increasing their ambitions and NDCs?
3. How can COP27 ensure a balance between adaptation and mitigation finance?
4. What needs to happen to ensure the promised target of carbon neutrality, and what is the role of the MENA region in it?
Speakers:
Susanna Rivero Baughman, Foreign affairs and Cooperation Advisers at the Secretary of Climate Action, Government of Catalonia
Sveinung Rotevatn, Former minister of Climate and Environment, Norway
Rania Al-Mashat, Minister for International Cooperation of Egypt – TBC
Rob Jetten, Minister for Climate and Energy, The Netherlands – TBC
Nigel Topping, UN High Level Climate Champion for COP26
Nils Torvards, MEP, Renew Coordinator for Environment, Norway – TBC
Emma Wiesner, MEP, Renew, Sweden – TBC
Senior Representative, African Development Bank
Moderator:
Hakima El Haite, President of Liberal International, UN High level climate champion
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16:00-17:00
Virtual event
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Virtual Side event |
SE-0042v |
Youth Leadership on Global Climate Action |
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Organized by United Nations University Vice Rectorate in Europe (UNU-ViE), Fundación Avina, FLACSO Ecuador, IDRC and Future Earth
The session will engage youth representatives and practitioners from public, private and academia sectors to discuss and advocate for policies, practices, and innovations that advances national plans and improve reporting at the 2023 Global Stocktake. A keynote speaker will reflect on the role of youth and women to respond to broader climate action in a transformational way and how integrated capacity building approaches can facilitate their leadership in the MENA region. After the insightful presentation, short interventions will be made by panelists from youth organizations, government, universities and the private sector sharing their experience, particularly at strengthening national capacities toward 2023 global stocktake, preparation of a generation of thought-leaders who are proactive in current and subsequent Paris Agreement ambition cycles, support in the development green businesses and entrepreneurship, and overcoming the challenges in promoting green innovations. One speaker will share the experience from Latin America as a means to foster south-south collaboration and strengthen partnerships in climate action. This will be followed by a Q&A session. The major outcome of the session will be to encourage more inclusive policy making, collaboration, innovation, investment, and capacity building for stakeholders involved in Climate action.
Speaker:
Margaret Koli, Research Programme Associate at UNU-VIE
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13:00-14:00
Virtual event
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Virtual Side event |
SE-0067v |
Anticipatory Action As a Way to Address Climate Risks and Impacts in the Arab Region? |
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Organized by World Food Programme (WFP) and The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
The climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis. Finding a solution to mitigate the loss and damage experienced across the Arab Region is a complex task that requires a coordinated approach in which governments, donors, local, national and international organisations come together. In a joint side event, WFP and IFRC will demonstrate the contribution of anticipatory action and the opportunities that this entails for governments, communities and people in the Arab Region. The side event will present recent evidence based on a regional study and provide examples from the region where early warning, climate services and acting early are central to supporting adaptation and ways to mitigate increasing shocks and stressors.
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15:30-16:00
Atlantis B plenary / Action Hub area
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Action Hub |
MENA-AH0001 |
Role of youth as National Actors for Climate Action |
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Organized by Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar
Young people are actively engaged at local, national and global levels in raising awareness, running educational programmes, conserving our nature, promoting renewable energy, adopting environmentally- friendly practices and implementing adaptation and mitigation projects. This Panel will have 3 youth from the MENA region Sharing their work on the respective countries.
Speaker:
Neeshad Shafi, Executive Director, Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar
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16:00-16:30
Atlantis B plenary / Action Hub area
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Action Hub |
MENA-AH0018 |
UAE-UK Clean Hydrogen Collaboration |
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Organized by Zest Associates
The UAE and UK have huge ambitions for the clean hydrogen sector, but how can they turn ambition into action? Zest Associates Managing Director Jeffrey Beyer will explore areas where collaboration across policy, innovation, trade and investment can accelerate both countries' clean hydrogen agendas. At this Action Hub, you'll get a preview of key insights from a soon-to-be-released landmark study on UAE-UK clean hydrogen collaboration opportunities, delivered in partnership with the World Green Economy Organization and HSBC.
Speakers:
Jeffrey Beyer, Managing Director, Zest Associates
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09:30-10:30
Spice A - Room A Davos 6
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Side event |
MENA-SE0123 |
The New Middle East and National Transformation |
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Organized by Tal Ronen, YKCenter
In 1993, the late president of Israel, Shimon Peres, proposed "A New Middle East". A daring vision for a Middle East, free of conflict and full of regional cooperation. Tal Ronen is one of the architects of the “New Middle East” plan. As a close confidant and coach to President Peres, Tal Ronen was priveledged to the thoughts from the back of the mind of Shimon Peres and other leaders working on, what at the time was, a rebellious reinvisioning of reality. Over the past decade Tal Ronen has been applying his lived experiences and learnings to create visionary change in businesses and organizations. Since 2012, Tal Ronen has also been working with Prof. Yehuda Kahane, a world renowned economist and thinker on transformation towards sustainability, and more recently, the SDGs. Throughout their shared work, Tal has been focused on and proposing an idea called "TransformNation". TransformNation is a merging of Prof. Kahane's economic thinking, Tal Ronen's methodologies, and national alignment with the SDGs. These ideas combine to create a plan for national-level transformation and aligning with the necessary paradigm shift into sustainability. The event will be a sharing of Tal's work from behind the scenes with Shimon Peres to this very day, where Tal is working to create national-scale transformation around the world.
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12:00-13:30
Atlantis B plenary / Action Hub area
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE00802 |
Capacity Building for Enhanced Youth Engagement |
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Organized by Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), UNFCCC Children and Youth Constituency (YOUNGO), Arab Youth Centre (AYC), World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), Regional Collaboration Center for MENA and SA, UNFCCC, World Bank Group (WBG), Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar and Federal Youth Authority (FYA)
A friendly introduction on how young people can engage in the UNFCCC process through YOUNGO, with an emphasis on the critical role of Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) and the road to COP27 and COP28.
Speakers:
Mohamed Maray Mohamed Elshikhi, YOUNGO
Selma Bichbich, YOUNGO
Elizabeth Gulugulu, YOUNGO
Disha Sarkar, YOUNGO
Deena Mariyam, YOUNGO
Amal Ridene, YOUNGO
Timothy Damon, YOUNGO
Xan Richard Northcott, YOUNGO
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16:00-18:00
Silk C
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE03600 |
Informal regional networking event on blockchain4climate |
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Organized by IAAI & Climate Chain Coalition (both UNFCCC accredited observer organizations)
IAAI GloCha is co-host (with UN Environment of the MENA Climate Week 2022 Track 3 session "Transformative Climate Action through Digitalization: Blockchain Technologies" on Tuesday 29th 11.00-12.30. This session will serve as an important milestone to draw together blockchain stakeholders in the MENA region for shaping the common understanding of the technology’s potential for supporting countries with the Paris Agreement’s global goal. In order to add to the momentum of this official session, IAAI and globally leading blockchain4climate network Climate Chain Coalition are organizing an informal networking meeting of relevant stakeholders (blockchain solution providers, academia, public sector, impact businesses) to facilitate the formation build the thematic network/expert cluster which shall provide input to a potential digital innovation thematic focus of COP27 (Egypt) and COP28 presidencies (UAE).
Speakers:
Miroslav Polzer, IAAI GloCha
Massamba Thioye, UNFCCC & Climate Chain Coalition co-chair,
Ayesha Sodha, ImpactScope,
Vim Meraki, IAAI UAE,
Jane Thomason,
Diana D' Alo, Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Organization,
Katherine Foster,
participants from the blockchain4cliamte Track 3 session
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14:15-18:00
Spice C - Press Conference
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE00901-2 |
Climate Policy Perspectives and Energy Transition in MENA Region |
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Organized by UNFCCC secretariat and ILO
This event plan to discuss planning transition from fossil fuel economies to green economy, tools and methods for assessing impact of policies, economic diversification, just transition, tracking mitigation benefits from economic diversification
Speakers:
Ambassador Mohamed Nasr, Incoming Presidency of Egypt
Atika Sabri, Member of planification commission, Moroccan Sahraouis Women's Association for integrated development, Morocco
Bradley Todd Hiller, Lead Climate Change Specialist (Mitigation), Islamic Development Bank
Christophe McGlade, Head of the Energy Supply Unit, International Energy Agency
Jan-Willem Van de Ven, Head of Climate Finance and Carbon Markets, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Jose Manuel Medina Checa, International Labour Organization
Karl Vella, Climate Policy Director, We Mean Business Coalition
Kusum Lata, Team Lead, UNFCCC
Manal R. Shehabi, Founding Director St. Antony's College, University of Oxford
Mandy Rambharos, General Manager at Just Energy Transition, Office of the Group Chief Executive, Eskom Holdings, South Africa
Marek Harsdorff, International Labour Organization
Michael Renner, Programme Officer, International Renewable Energy Agency
Moustapha Kamal Gueye, International Labour Organization
Nathalie Bavitch, International Labour Organization
Peter Govindasamy, Director at Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore
Romanas Savickas, Senior Advisor and Consultant, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre
Tidjani Niass, Saudi Aramco
Wael Farag Basyouny Kamel Keshk, General Manager at Mitigation and CDM Department, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, Egypt
William Kojo Agyemang Bonsu, International Labour Organization
Zhuolun Chen, Senior Advisor, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre
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13:30-18:00
Atlantis A (part 2)
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE01701-2 |
14th Regional Workshop on Capacity Development for Climate Change Negotiations for the Arab Countries |
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Organized by UN-ESCWA-LAS-UNEP-UNESCO
Speakers:
Mohamed Ahmedoua, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
Taha Amimi, Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
Hanadi Awadalla Abderasoul, Ministry of Agriculture, Forest National Corporation (FNC)
Dalal Elhaj Ebrahim Mohmmed, Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources
Ahmed Ali Ahmed Aboulgheit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mahmoud Fathallah, League of Arab States
Oday Hadi Haddawee Al-Bayati, Ministry of Environment
Yousef A. H. Abuasad, Ministry of Transport
Tarek Sadek, UN-ESCWA
Ayman Shasly, Ministry of Energy
Mohamed Nasr, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Amr Osama Abdel-Aziz, INTEGRAL Consult
Aya Ibrahim, UN-ESCWA
Sara Qais Al Haleeq, Ministry of Environment
Mohamed Osama, Ministry of Industry and Trade
Bisher Imam, UNESCO Cairo Office
Tugba Icmeli, UNFCCC
Hassan Dhaini, Ministry of Environment, Lebanon
Nigel Topping, High-Level Champion, COP 26 Presidency of the United Kingdom
Mahmoud Mohieldin, High-Level Champion, COP 27 Presidency of Egypt
Moderator:
Danielle Magalhaes, Team Lead, UNFCCC
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13:15-18:15
Atlantis C
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Affiliated event |
MENA-AE01301-2 |
22nd CDM DNA Global Forum |
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Organized by UNFCCC
The DNA Forum provides opportunities for DNA representatives to exchange views, share their experiences relating to the CDM and bring forward common views and issues to the attention of the Executive Board. Apart from CDM discussions the much awaited Article 6 work will also be reflected in the agenda. The DNA participants and the speakers for the DNA Forum are expected to contribute to other events taking place at MENA RCW 2022.
Speakers:
Sohel Pasha, UNFCCC Secretariat
James Grabert, UNFCCC Secretariat
Omar Alcock, CDM EB (Pre-recorded video message)
Kudakwashe Manyanga, DNA Forum Co-chair, Zimbabwe
Motoharu Yamazaki, UNFCCC Secretariat (remote)
Frank Wolke, CDM EB (remote)
Amjad Abdulla, CDM EB
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