The Conference on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development Plan 2030, themed ‘Towards Building a Sustainable Economy in the Middle East and North Africa Region’, kicked off at Sohar University in North Al Batinah Governorate on Monday.
Organized under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the event was held in technical collaboration with SADER Legal Publishing (MENA) and the UNESCO Chair in Environmental Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in the State of Qatar.
Dr. Mahad Said Ba’owain, Minister of Labour, presided over the opening ceremony of the conference.
Dr. Hamdan Sulaiman Al Fazari, Vice Chancellor of Sohar University, highlighted that the conference aims to gather experts in environmental education, university professors, trainers, and environmental law practitioners to share insights and experiences on enhancing environmental law education and practice in the region.
He emphasized that the conference also seeks to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices regarding the role of environmental law in advancing progress towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the region.
Al Fazari noted that both public and private institutions, including universities and higher education institutions worldwide, are actively engaged in developing strategic plans to realize the set objectives in alignment with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and national priorities.
The conference will cover four main themes. The first theme will focus on international environmental law and SDGs. The second theme will emphasize local and regional approaches, as well as the multi-stakeholder approach in addressing the latest developments in adopting environmental, social, and governance standards in the region. The third theme will explore teaching environmental law to implement SDGs. Lastly, the fourth theme will address practical applications that address current gaps in capacity development and the needs of ministries and institutions related to environmental law in the region, and how to appropriately meet and implement them.
The conference will also feature workshops on various legal topics related to the environment, such as international environmental law, the SDGs, the integrated and multi-stakeholder approach to the SDGs, and enhancing environmental legal education on biodiversity and nature conservation.
This event will serve as a platform for sharing and exchanging information on the necessary resources, skills, and methodologies to equip environmental officials and students in the region with the necessary law and governance skills to promote SDGs in their respective areas of expertise.
