Middle East Environmental Law Scholars’ Conference

Theme: Law – Environment – Middle East
Innovations for a Green Economy

November 4-5, 2018
Venue: Auditorium, Minaretein (College of Islamic Studies building), Education City 

Overview:

The 2018 Middle East Environment Law Scholars Conference is sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme, as well as the Qatar National Research Fund. The conference is hosted by the College of Law and Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, with the support of our partners: LexisNexis Middle East & North Africa, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC), as well as His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development, Doha, Qatar.

The aim of this conference is to bring together leading environmental law scholars, as well as regional and local law, management and policy practitioners, to advance knowledge exchange on the implementation and application of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) relating to environmental protection, water, energy and food security in the Middle East region. Particular attention will be paid to the role of law and policy in achieving green economy transition in the Middle East region. 

This conference provides an interactive platform for environmental law lecturers in the region to examine how to develop, integrate and mainstream the teaching of environmental law in law school curriculum. 

The conference will officially launch the Association for Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East Universities (ASSELMU) as the umbrella association for all full time academics who conduct research, or teach environment related law courses, in a university in the Middle East region. 

Topics: 

• Environmental Law Teaching in the Middle East: what are the current opportunities, challenges, best practices and innovations in teaching environmental law in universities in the Middle East region?
• Green Economy Transition- What are the key MEAs that, through their effective implementation, can unlock a green economy, specifically through issues related to food security, sustainable water management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and clean technology entrepreneurship?
• Building Capacity for the Green Economy: What are the regional and national priorities and needs with respect to clean technology innovation, entrepreneurship, food security, agriculture, climate, ocean and coastal management 
• Agriculture and Food Security: What are the innovative legal tools, best practices, research, resources and models on agriculture and land management that can enhance food production in arid regions? 
• Interdisciplinary Approaches: What are the current opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and research on water, energy and food issues
• Climate change impacts on the Middle East: Challenges and opportunities for enhancing climate mitigation and adaptation measures
• Institution Building: Regional and sub-regional judicial institutions: Practical environment protection enforcement mechanisms

Conference Programme

• Day 1, November 4, 2018
• Day 2, November 5, 2018

Keynote and Plenary Speakers

• His Excellency Mohammad bin Abdullah Al- Rumaih, Honorable Minister for Environment and Municipality, State of Qatar 
• Elizabeth Mrema, Director of the Law Division, United Nations Environment Programme
• Dr. Nulifer Oral, Member of the United Nations International Law Commission 
• Professor Muammer Koc, Sustainable Development Division, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University
• Professor Patricia Mbote, Chair, Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in African Universities

Workshop Chairs

• Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Conference Chair)
• Professor Talal Abdulla Al-Emadi, Qatar University 
• Prof. Francis Botchway, Qatar University
• Dr. John Kilani, Director of Sustainable Development, The Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development, Doha, Qatar 
• Professor Dr Riyad Fakhri, University of Hussan II, Morocco
• Professor Michel Prieur, Université de Limoges, France
• Professor Alastair Lucas QC, University of Calgary, Canada
• Professor Randall Abate, Rechnitz Family Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy, Monmouth University, New Jersey, USA
• Dr. Catherine Banet, Associate Professor of Law, Faculty of Law, University of Oslo, Norway

Venue

• Auditorium, Minaretein (College of Islamic Studies building), Education City 

Sponsored by:

Partnered by:

Organized by: