As part of its Decarbonisation Roundtable Series, Sustainability Forum Middle East (SFME) hosted a virtual session titled “Assessing Climate Solidarity Under Pressure”, examining the role of regional cooperation in advancing climate action across the Arab region.
The discussion was anchored in insights from the paper “Climate Solidarity in Arab States: Legal Challenges and Emerging Solutions”, setting the context for a timely exchange on strengthening collaboration amid increasing geopolitical, economic, and climate pressures.
Participants explored the concept of climate solidarity and its practical application, highlighting key challenges to coordinated climate action, including legal, institutional, and financing gaps. The session also examined pathways to enhance collaboration through policy alignment, knowledge sharing, technology exchange, and improved mobilisation of climate finance.
Held under Chatham House Rules, the roundtable provided a platform for open dialogue, contributing to SFME’s ongoing efforts to advance practical approaches to decarbonisation and sustainable development across the MENA region.

Dr. Amna Zaman
S.J.D. Candidate and Doctoral Research Fellow - College of Law
Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Asmaa Shalabi
Resident Representative
UNDP Bahrain

Prof. Damilola S
Olawuyi SAN
Professor and UNESCO Chair
on Environmental Law and
Sustainable Development
Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Ian McCallum
Chief Sustainability Officer
Bank ABC

Eng. Khalid bin Mohammed Albalushi
Director General of Climate Change
Environment Authority, Sultanate of Oman