Conference Highlights the Role of Higher Education in Advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region
WCEL members and other leading international environmental law experts have called for the urgent prioritisation of environmental law education in order to accelerate global achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The recommendation was made at 5th Environmental Law Conference of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North Africa Universities (ASSELLMU) hosted by Sohar University, Oman from February 19-20, 2024.
Organized under the theme “Environmental Law and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Legislation towards a Sustainable Economy in the MENA Region,” the conference brought together leading environmental educators, administrators, and practitioners to exchange knowledge, experience and learn from each other on how to advance the attainment of the SDGs in the MENA region by the global target date of 2030. Through workshops and seminars, the participants highlighted national, regional, and international aspects of accelerating the SDGs, including the status of teaching and practice of environmental law and the green economy in MENA countries, as well as domestic and regional approaches to environmental law and practice.
Held under the patronage of H.E Prof. Mahad bin Said bin Ali Ba Awain, Minister for Labour of Oman, the conference featured a keynote lecture by H.E Dr Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of Environment Authority, Oman. WCEL members that attended and spoke at the conference include Patricia Mbote, Director of the Law Division, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Dr. Aude-Solveig Epstein Assistant Professor of Legal Studies at New York University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Dr. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, Professor of Law and UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). Doha, Qatar and Chair of ASSELLMU. Their presentations explored the role of environmental law education in advancing the SDGs in the MENA region.
Several prominent figures gave conference keynote addresses, including Vice Chancellor, Sohar University, Dr. Hamdan Sulaiman Al Fazari, H.E Dr. Leila Chikhaoui, Minister of the Environment of Tunisia; Philpp Bremer, the Director of the the Rule of Law Programme Middle East & North Africa, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Professor Attiya Waris, the United Nations Independent Expert on foreign debt, other international financial obligations and human rights, the Dean of the HBKU College of Law, Dr. Susan L. Karamanian, and Professor Riyad Fahkri, Vice President, ASSELLMU & Professor of Law, Hassan First University of Settat, Morocco amongst others.
The Conference was sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme, SADER Legal Publishing; and with technical collaboration and partnership of the Rule of Law Programme Middle East & North Africa, Konrad- Adenauer-Stiftung e.V; and the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
While welcoming attendees to the conference, the Vice Chancellor, Sohar University, Dr. Hamdan Sulaiman Al Fazari underscored the strong commitment of Sohar University to the UNSDGs and to environmental education. He highlighted recent partnerships of Sohar University with international organizations, including the United Nations to promote research and innovation on sustainable development.
In her keynote lecture, the Director of the Law Division, United Nations Environment Program, Dr. Patricia Mbote congratulated Sohar University for organizing and hosting such a landmark conference. She emphasised the crucial importance of integrating environmental law as a subject in higher education curricula. She highlighted how MENA environmental law scholars can benefit from the training resources and programs of UNEP for promoting environmental rule of law and the SDGs in the region.
The second keynote lecture by Professor Attiya Waris, the United Nations Independent Expert on foreign debt, other international financial obligations and human rights, highlighted the importance of innovative financing and fiscal legitimacy in order to meet the huge financial requirements of achieving the SDGs. She also highlighted the need for increased cooperation and partnerships in promoting the SDGs.
WCEL member and President of ASSELLMU, Professor Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, who is also the UNESCO Chairholder on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at HBKU, said:
“This year’s landmark conference has greatly highlighted the important roles of environmental education and research in accelerating the the SDGs and in addressing the urgent ecological threats facing the world. As new and cleaner technologies emerge, talented and environmentally-aware workforce will be required to leverage them in all key economic sectors. We commend Sohar University for their exceptional commitment to spearheading education and innovation in this regard and we look forward to working them and other partners in promoting environmental law education and implementation across the region.”
A significant outcome of the conference was the official adoption of a workplan of environmental training and education which will include focused research and training in four thematic areas: Technology and the Green Economy; Business, Human Rights and the Environment, Environmental Dispute Resolution; Food, Agriculture and Water Security; and Energy and Natural Resources Law. A scientific committee was inaugurated to prioritise the mandate.
ASSELLMU’s next conference is scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025. Established in 2018, ASSELLMU is a learned society that brings together scholars, educators and those interested in the study and practice of environmental law in the MENA Region. To learn more about ASSELLMU, its activities, and events visit: https://assellmu.org
For more information:
https://www.su.edu.om/public-conference/#1700979025187-30807fb0-bdd0
https://omannews.gov.om/topics/en/139/show/115924/
https://www.su.edu.om/5-th-assellmu-news/
Author:
Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN,
Professor and UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
President and Chair, Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North Africa Universities (ASSELLMU)
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