MENA Climate Week opens with aim to accelerate climate action

The first-ever Middle East and North Africa Climate Week, MENACW 2022, opened today with a strong call to accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement. MENACW 2022 is being held through March 31 and is hosted by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in collaboration with the UN and other multilateral agencies.

Governments and stakeholders are gathering in person for the inaugural Climate Week in the MENA region following last November’s COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

Decisions at COP26 give clarity on adapting to climate change, reducing emissions and the climate finance needed to achieve bold climate goals. A common set of guidelines was agreed to allow all nations to move forward together. This is especially important for the MENA region, a major energy producing region where temperatures are set to soar if climate change is left unchecked.

Ms. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE said: “This inaugural MENA Climate Week underscores our commitment to drive collective action to combat climate change regionally and globally. The event will explore key issues that shape climate response in this region, such as resilience against climate risks, transition to a low-emission economy and collaboration to solve pressing challenges.”