Building on its mission to address environmental issues and policies from a legal perspective, the College of Law and Public Policy (CLPP) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is set to host the 2018 Middle East Environment Law Scholars Conference in Doha.
The conference, which will be held from 4-5 November under the theme of ‘Law – Environment – Middle East: Innovations for a Green Economy’, comes against a backdrop of events previously hosted by CLPP to address environmental principles and policies affecting the MENA region and the world.
The conference, sponsored by the UN Environment Programme and the Qatar National Research Fund, will bring together environmental law lecturers, practitioners and researchers to explore the implementation and application of multilateral environmental agreements (MEA) relating to environmental protection, water, energy and food security in the region. The conference will place specific emphasis on the role of law and policymakers in shifting to a green and sustainable economy.
High-level attendance is expected on the opening day and Elizabeth Mrema, Director of the Law Division at the UN Environment Programme, will deliver a keynote address. Day two of the conference will feature a keynote lecture by Dr Nilufer Oral, a member of the UN International Law Commission.
Speaking ahead of the event, Susan L Karamanian, Dean of the College of Law and Public Policy at HBKU, said that this year’s conference is of utmost relevance and importance as the region works to address environmental challenges and the laws that govern them.
The conference’s invited experts will be exploring current opportunities, challenges, best practices and innovations in teaching environmental law in universities in Qatar and beyond. Matters of governance as they pertain to environmental degradation, global warming, and building resilient economies within the ecological boundaries of this region are of worldwide interest and require swift yet studied and deliberate action.’
The conference will also see the official launch of the Association for Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East Universities (ASSELLMU), an umbrella association for all full-time academics who conduct research, or teach environment-related law courses at an academic institution in the Middle East.
CLPP Associate Professor and Conference Chair Dr Damilola S Olawuyi, said that drawing on the expertise of regional law practitioners will enable them to collectively debate and deliberate on topics that is relevant in the national and international level.
CLPP maintains its long-standing goal of being both a driver and harnesser of ideas regarding energy innovation, environmental governance, and global best practices in the field.’
The conference will be held in partnership with the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah International Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development, LexisNexis MENA, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, and Qatar Green Building Council.
Last year, CLPP organised the 2017 Energy Transitions Conference, underscoring the commitment of CLPP and HBKU, to lead and facilitate topics that address energy and environmental development in the country, and create a tangible and positive impact on the community.
For more information, visit asselmu.hbku.edu.qa.
Related Link:
https://marhaba.qa/event/2018-middle-east-environment-law-scholars-conference/