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Rabat, February 13th, 2024 – The regional conference "Uniting for Climate Action in the Middle East and North Africa Region" was held in Rabat on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation to address the challenges of climate change in the region and to launch the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) chapter of the Parliamentarians for Climate network (P4C). 

On Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, the regional conference titled "Uniting for Climate Action in the Middle East and North Africa Region" was held in Rabat. The event was organized by the Parliamentarians for Climate network (P4C), the Regional Program for Energy Security and Climate Change in the Middle East and North Africa (KAS-REMENA), and the ATLAS Dynamics Association.

P4C, an international network gathering current and former parliamentarians, aims to contribute to strengthening environmental sustainability and capacity for climate change adaptation worldwide.

The conference witnessed the participation of prominent figures, with over 70 attendees including current and former parliamentarians from Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Jordan, as well as diplomatic, political, academic, civil, media, national, and international representatives.

The conference provided a significant opportunity for parliamentarians from the Middle East and North Africa region to convene and deepen their reflection on the essential role of parliamentary leadership in shaping and enhancing climate policies. They had the opportunity to exchange perspectives on best practices and strengthen cooperation among parliamentarians and other stakeholders, thereby contributing to supporting the noble international efforts to combat climate change and its myriad negative multidimensional impacts.

The interventions of participants focused on presenting models of national experiences and initiatives of their respective countries, within the framework of expertise exchange and highlighting best practices in this field. Furthermore, several key areas were discussed to identify overarching solutions capable of achieving lasting impact, including the enhancement of strategic climate governance and the imperative of developing flexible, integrated, and inclusive economic models that meet the needs of all vulnerable categories within our societies.

In her opening speech, Dr. Ibtissame Azzaoui, founding president of the network, emphasized the importance of placing the climate crisis at the forefront of public awareness and government policies, adding that we must contemplate new ways of life, resilience, and adaptation to this new culture of scarcity. She also called for collective reflection on the necessary transformations required at the level of public policies, development plans, and economic models, emphasizing the adoption of sustainable approaches and innovative new paradigms offering lasting practical and scientific solutions that combine adaptation, mitigation, efficiency, and strategic governance with risk management and balancing costs and benefits.

On her part, Ms. Veronika Ertl, director of the Regional Program for Energy Security and Climate Change in the Middle East and North Africa at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS-REMENA), underscored the crucial importance of holding this regional conference. She highlighted that it offers a unique opportunity for parliamentarians to address environmental concerns, sustainable development, and share best practices in climate matters. Ms. Ertl emphasized the pivotal role played by the Parliamentarians for Climate network in supporting the efforts of regional parliamentarians. Furthermore, she urged for increased involvement in climate change issues, particularly in the design of climate policies that provide responses to the various challenges encountered.

The meeting was marked by the announcement of the launch of the regional chapter of the network for the Middle East and North Africa region, with plans to soon deploy additional branches worldwide.