Event
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The 6th MENA Environmental Law and Policy Scholars’ Conference will take place from February 24-26, 2025, at the Faculty of Law, Arab East Colleges in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Organized by the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in MENA Universities (ASSELLMU) and the Faculty of Law, Arab East Colleges, the conference is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), SADER Legal Publishing, and in collaboration with the Rule of Law Programme Middle East & North Africa, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), and the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar.
Under the theme “Water Security and Environmental Law in the MENA Region,” this year’s conference will explore legal and policy frameworks that address water challenges in the region. The event will bring together environmental law scholars, educators, policymakers, legal practitioners, and students to discuss key international and domestic regulatory frameworks, governance strategies, and legal education’s role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A major focus will be on the role of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in accelerating water security in the MENA region through their effective implementation, particularly in areas related to water technologies, desalination, climate-smart water infrastructure, water recycling, the circular economy, integrated water management, and financing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects. Discussions will also address the latest developments in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and multistakeholder approaches, analyzing regional legislation, institutional frameworks, and legal innovations that promote water security.
Recognizing the significance of legal education in environmental governance, the conference will explore how universities, research institutes, and legal education programs can contribute to enhancing institutional capacities for water conservation and sustainable management. Experts will present innovative teaching methodologies, legal tools, interdisciplinary research, and best practices that support integrated water governance. Additionally, the conference will examine current capacity development gaps in the judiciary, environmental law agencies, and government ministries, identifying strategies to enhance their ability to address water security challenges effectively.
Through plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and roundtables, participants will exchange knowledge, share best practices, and strengthen regional collaboration on environmental law and governance. We invite you to join this critical dialogue and contribute to shaping a sustainable future for water security in the MENA region.
