3rd Edition

The session will look at the important work and efforts of UN High-Level Champions on connecting private sector initiatives and coalitions with national action plans to help countries deliver on their Paris Agreement commitments and accelerate the road to net-zero through joint action and cooperation. It will cover their unique role to encourage and drive the mobilisation and coordination of expertise and financing and discuss some of the most ambitious global collaborations and those in the MENA region, critical to delivering on climate commitments fast approaching for 2030 and leading up to 2050/2060 targets. The session will also look at the outcomes and actions for MENA countries following the recently held COP 29 in Azerbaijan, focused on “enhancing ambition” and “enabling action”, and the road ahead towards COP 30 in Brazil where climate justice and equitable transition will take centre stage.

Senior business leaders to discuss the strategic intersection of climate action, business performance, and long-term value creation both for shareholders and the regional economies – sharing real-world examples to show a direct correlation between climate and other sustainability-conscious strategies and profitability. The panel will explore why this approach is essential to futureproofing any business and how integrating sustainability into core operations not only mitigates environmental risks but also creates new opportunities for growth, innovation, and profitability driven by the chance to develop new products, services and markets.

The session will kick off with a fireside chat on the role of MENA governments in both supporting and encouraging the mobilisation of capital to finance climate and energy resilience. This includes how to create more supportive regulatory frameworks, incentives and partnerships that encourage the growth of climate finance. The panel will then delve further into the actions needed to unlock climate finance at scale in order to ensure capital flows into projects that promote climate and energy resilience. Experts will also look what’s needed to accelerate the development of the region’s green financial markets including bolstering availability of green bonds and sustainability-linked financial products, as well as ways to drive greater private sector involvement in climate finance.

With MENA’s pivotal role in the global energy transition, the session will explore the dynamic shift to renewable energy sources, focusing on the region’s significant investments in solar and wind power, and its rapidly growing position as a leader in renewable energy production. Importantly, the session will also delve into the emerging role of hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen, as a key component in achieving net-zero goals. Experts will discuss the region’s potential to harness renewable energy for hydrogen production, transforming its energy landscape and positioning it as a major player in the global hydrogen economy. They will reflect on the importance of regional cooperation, looking at cross-border hydrogen projects, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships with international stakeholders and address the challenges facing hydrogen production in the MENA region, including the high initial costs, technological barriers, and talent, and the strategies to overcome these hurdles to establish leadership.

As global and MENA landscapes shift towards greater transparency and accountability in climate-related financial disclosures, companies across the region must increasingly focus on adopting and harmonizing a host of new frameworks. The session will begin with a fireside chat focused on how global banks are integrating financial regulations across jurisdictions and the impacts on funding the transition. A panel of regulators will then go on to explore the integration of global standards such as the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) into the MENA region’s financial ecosystem alongside new frameworks recently announced by regulators across the region. This will include an examination of how new frameworks are shaping global financial markets and the implications for MENA businesses and financial institutions, the current state of climate disclosure in key MENA economies, challenges for companies to adoption and harmonization, and the role of MENA regulators in creating enabling environments through supportive policies, incentives, and regulations that are aligned with global frameworks while addressing regional specificities.

The session will explore the important role that technology plays in advancing net zero and climate goals looking at innovations in renewable energy, carbon capture and smart infrastructure, to digital technologies like AI and IoT, that are transforming the sustainability landscape. The session will explore the latest megatrends driving the global push towards carbon neutrality, the opportunities as well as the challenges they present. For example, while AI and big data hold tremendous potential to address climate change through optimization, data analysis, and predictive capabilities, they also present significant challenges, particularly due to their high energy demands. Experts will discuss potential solutions and mitigations, and how best to balance the benefits of AI with its environmental impact, a crucial issue for ensuring that technological advancements contribute positively to the fight against climate change. Additionally, ethical considerations will be addressed, such as how data is collected and whether these technologies are used to benefit everyone or only certain groups. The discussion will also look at other cutting-edge technologies and innovations being developed across sectors represented on the panel and how technology is being leveraged by these industries in unique ways to accelerate their transformation and the road to net zero.

As global carbon markets grow and cross-border carbon taxation regimes like the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are implemented, MENA-based exporters face new challenges. This session will explore the impact of compulsory carbon markets and cross-border tax regimes on MENA companies, particularly those involved in high-carbon industries such as energy, manufacturing and transportation. Panelists will discuss the financial and operational implications of these regulations, including compliance obligations, carbon pricing, and potential costs. Participants will gain insights into how CBAM and similar policies are reshaping global trade and how MENA companies can mitigate the risks by adopting low-carbon technologies and strategies. The session will highlight the need for regional companies to align with international sustainability standards to remain competitive, while also exploring opportunities for innovation and carbon reduction. This discussion will also look at how policymakers in the MENA region can support these critically important industries and mitigate the potential impact from the increasing proliferation of cross-border carbon taxes.

As water scarcity intensifies across the MENA region due to the impacts of climate change, ensuring water security has become a critical challenge that requires urgent and innovative solutions. This session will explore strategies for building resilience and implementing sustainable water management practices in a region where water resources are becoming increasingly scarce. The discussion will delve into innovative technologies and policy approaches that are helping to secure water supplies, including advancements in desalination, wastewater treatment, and water recycling. The panel will also examine the water-energy nexus, focusing on how the interdependencies between water and energy can be leveraged to maximize efficiency, reduce risks, and support broader climate resilience goals.

As we navigate the complexities of transitioning to a low-carbon future, the need for bold, innovative, and inclusive climate solutions has never been more pressing. Women, as entrepreneurs and business leaders, are already at the forefront of developing and delivering the transformative solutions the world urgently needs. Yet, despite their immense potential, women face significant barriers in establishing and scaling green businesses, with challenges particularly acute in accessing finance and investment opportunities.
This panel discussion brings together diverse voices to examine the dual imperatives of empowering women to lead in the green economy and addressing the barriers they face in assuming this leadership role. Key topics will include systemic biases in financing decisions, alongside the regulatory, cultural, and social obstacles that disproportionately impact women entrepreneurs.
By emphasizing the importance of gender-responsive investment strategies, the discussion will also spotlight practical solutions and policy recommendations aimed at creating a more inclusive ecosystem for female climate leaders. Together, we will explore pathways to unlock the full potential of women in shaping a sustainable and equitable future.