Regional Roundtable Series

Assessing Climate Solidarity Under Pressure

21 April 2026Virtual Roundtable

Roundtable overview

Strengthening regional cooperation under pressure.

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.

Discussion focus

What the roundtable explored

01

Shared climate challenges, knowledge sharing, technology exchange and policy alignment.

02

Climate finance, investment and data for effective decision-making.

03

Government, academic, financial and business collaboration for climate resilience.

Speakers

Dr. Amna Zaman

Dr. Amna Zaman

S.J.D. Candidate and Doctoral Research Fellow - College of LawHamad Bin Khalifa University

Asmaa Shalabi

Asmaa Shalabi

Resident RepresentativeUNDP Bahrain

Moderator
Prof. Damilola SOlawuyi SAN

Prof. Damilola SOlawuyi SAN

Professor and UNESCO Chairon Environmental Law andSustainable DevelopmentHamad Bin Khalifa University

Ian McCallum

Ian McCallum

Chief Sustainability OfficerBank ABC

Eng. Khalid bin Mohammed Albalushi

Eng. Khalid bin Mohammed Albalushi

Director General of Climate ChangeEnvironment Authority, Sultanate of Oman

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