Ministers, policymakers, young advocates and climate champions from across the region will meet in Saudi Arabia beginning on Sunday, to discuss the climate crisis.
The Middle East and North Africa Climate Week seeks to build momentum in the lead up to the Cop28 summit in the UAE that starts in November.
The talks in Riyadh are being organised by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Leaders around the world are under increasing pressure to act decisively in the face of the escalating climate emergency.
September 2023 was the warmest for the month on record globally, with an average surface air temperature of 16.38°C, figures compiled by the EU show.
Pope Francis on Wednesday warned the world is "collapsing" due to climate change and may be "nearing breaking point".
It comes as a series of alarming reports, such as the UN’s this week that stated the world was “way off track” to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris deal, have put further pressure on leaders to act.
The Paris agreement saw countries agree to "pursue efforts" to limit temperature rises to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Efforts to keep the goal alive will be assessed for the first time at Cop28 under the “global stocktake”.
The event in Saudi Arabia will reflect on regional work done to keep the 1.5°C goal alive.
Focus on the region
Dr Zouhair Lachkar, senior scientist at the Arabian Centre for Climate and Environmental Sciences at NYUAD, said delegates in Riyadh will seek "to address knowledge gaps, discuss climate adaptation, promote collaboration on solutions and highlight challenges and opportunities", with a specific focus on the Middle East and North Africa region.
"In 2023, the world is on track for record-high temperatures, emphasising the need for global leadership and action,” he said.
“However, addressing this challenge is complex, particularly at the local level, beyond national policies. Regional approaches are essential to develop effective adaptation strategies and provide crucial data for local stakeholders."
“This action should encompass not only emissions reduction but also adaptation to climate change, which is now a necessity for cities and countries worldwide."
The Mena Climate Week will feature sessions on the importance of mangroves, tackling plastic pollution, how small farmers can help to boost food security.
Delegates will also discuss ways to address land degradation, water security, coral restoration and to ensure smart agriculture in desert climates.
Attendees can also expect ministerial panels, roundtables, workshops and a youth summit developed around four major themes that are energy systems and industry; cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport; land, ocean, food and water; and societies, health, livelihoods, and economies.
The event is one of four regional weeks being held across the world in 2023 to galvanise action ahead of Cop28. One has already been staged in Africa, while two more – in Latin America and the Caribbean and another in Asia-Pacific - take place before the crunch talks start in Dubai. The Riyadh event is seen as crucial because of the potential of the region to tackle climate change, experts believe.
"The Middle East and North Africa are of growing importance in the global fight against climate change because many of the countries in the region are exposed and vulnerable to the impacts, while many are also potentially rich in renewable energy resources, particularly solar," said Bob Ward, policy director at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at the London School of Economics.
"They are even more important this year because Cop28 is being held in the region and their governments have an opportunity to drive for an ambitious outcome that accelerates a just transition away from fossil fuels. These countries will be able to lay out their agenda for action at this climate week to help set the agenda for Cop28."
Tackling emissions, ramping up climate finance, ensuring the 1.5°C goal is kept alive, and bringing the loss and damage fund agreed at Cop27 into operation are expected to dominate the negotiations during the summit that runs from November 30 to December 12 at Expo City Dubai.
“We have decided that our comprehensive and holistic plan for Cop28 is to be centred around one thing, and that is the North Star,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Cop28 President-designate.
"What is our North Star at Cop28? It is keeping 1.5°C within reach."
Middle East and North Africa Climate Week runs from October 8 to October 12 in Riyadh.
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Six things you need to know about UAE Women’s Special Olympics football team
Several girls started playing football at age four
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The girls don’t dwell on their condition
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When not in training, they play football with their brothers and sisters
The girls want to inspire others to join the UAE Special Olympics teams
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
