Rule of Law FORUM 2nd Edition

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Rule of Law Programme Middle East and North Africa, hosted the Second Edition of the Rule of Law FORUM in partnership with the Youssef SADER Foundation for Legal Culture and the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Doha, Qatar, on October 23-24, 2024. This two-day forum, held at HBKU, brought together distinguished judges, lawyers, legal scholars, experts, and law students to discuss critical legal issues shaping the MENA region's rule of law landscape, sustainability, and innovation.

The event began with opening remarks from Professor Damilola S. Olawuyi, UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, and H.E. Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs in Qatar. Following the warm welcome, the audience received goodwill messages from Mr. Philipp Bremer, Director of KAS Rule of Law Programme MENA region office, Me. Rany Sader, President of the Youssef SADER Foundation, Dr. Susan Karamanian, Dean of HBKU's College of Law, and German Ambassador to Qatar, H.E. Lothar Freischlader. This set a collaborative tone for the FORUM, underscoring the regional commitment to advancing legal standards and sustainable development.

Day 1 Highlights

• Keynote Address: Judge Imani Aboud, President of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, delivered a keynote speech titled "The Evolving Role of Regional Courts in Advancing the Rule of Law and Sustainable Development." Judge Aboud highlighted the crucial role of regional courts in supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enforcing human rights across diverse legal landscapes. She emphasized the value of African jurisprudence as a model for other regions, particularly the Arab world, which lacks an equivalent judicial institution.
• Panel 1: Enhancing Judicial Transparency and Public Relations: The FORUM's first panel, moderated by Dr. Marie-Christine Fuchs Spokesperson of the German Federal Ministry of Justice, focused on strengthening public trust in the judiciary through transparency and effective communication. Panelists, including Judge Ali Darwish Al Msaimi, Judge Dr. Najat Abou Chacra, Judge Dr. Adel Omar Sharif, and Judge Imani Aboud, discussed the importance of public access to court decisions and proposed steps toward digitalizing court records and publicizing judgments.
• Panel 2: Enhancing Business Accountability for Human Rights: Moderated by Mr. Philipp Bremer, this panel examined the private sector's responsibilities in the MENA region amidst economic and regulatory challenges. Panelists Ms. Mashael Mohammed Al Sulaiti, Takoua Tayari, and Dr. Riyad Fahkri explored the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, calling for stronger corporate transparency and mechanisms to address human rights abuses, especially in conflict-affected areas.
• Panel 3: Implementation of International Environmental Treaties in Arab States: This session, co-moderated by Professor Damilola Olawuyi, analyzed the region's progress in implementing environmental treaties. Experts Dr. Darina Saliba, Dr. Romana Schweiger, and Elena Athwal discussed the outcomes of COP 28 in Dubai and emphasized the urgent need for legal accountability and cooperation to combat climate change in the MENA region.

Day 2 Highlights

• Panel 4: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Judiciary and Legal Practice: This forward-looking session, moderated by Me. Rany Sader, focused on AI's impact on the legal field, examining ethical, labor, and regulatory considerations. Experts Georges Abi Saab, Khaled Shivji, Aseel Zimmo, and Suzanna Kalendzhian provided insights on how AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming legal research and decision-making, raising questions on bias, accountability, and job displacement.
• Panel 5: Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship through Legal Reforms: Led by moderator Cristina Porumb, this panel discussed the need for legal reforms to support MENA’s burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem. Experts Mona Daraei, Me. Rany Sader, and Khaled Al Rashed highlighted the importance of protecting intellectual property (IP), improving access to venture capital, and establishing an inclusive legal framework that encourages innovation across diverse communities.

The FORUM concluded with a closing session led by Mr. Philipp Bremer, along with Dean Dr. Susan Karamanian, Me. Rany Sader, and Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, who collectively emphasized the need for continuous regional cooperation to address the evolving legal challenges in the MENA region. Through interactive discussions, the FORUM succeeded in fostering dialogue, providing actionable insights, and inspiring a commitment to strengthening the rule of law as a foundation for sustainable development, justice, and economic progress across the MENA region.

The success of the Rule of Law FORUM Second Edition stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit of the region's judicial, academic, and policy communities, and the unwavering support from partners like the Youssef SADER Foundation for Legal Culture and the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Doha, Qatar. The event reaffirmed KAS's commitment to promoting the rule of law and sustainable development in the MENA region and set the stage for future forums focused on these crucial themes. To learn more about the event and the panelists, please download the program.