The countries of the Arab world will be severely affected by climate change. The second annual conference of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) on 19-20 November in Beirut left no doubt upon this fact. With only a few more weeks to go until the climate conference in Copenhagen, AFED presented a comprehensive study on the implications of global warming for the Arab countries. The report shows that rising temperatures adversely affect infrastructure, economic development, quality of life, and especially water and food security in the region.



More than 400 politicians, scientists and businessmen, mostly from Arab countries, attended the conference. The panellists agreed that quick and effective actions need to be promoted by decision makers in order to prevent the most severe climate change impacts from occurring. They pointed out that the Arab world needs to be better prepared. New technologies can provide a change towards sustainable, energy efficient and climate friendly development. 



However, climate change is still a novelty for the political agendas of the Near and Middle Eastern countries. Comprehensive adaptation programs are lacking and regional cooperation to cope with common climate change impacts is low. Almost every speaker also alluded to the lack of sufficient data and scientific research on climate change and its implications for the region. 



The conference concluded with recommendations for the Arab governments on addressing the challenge of climate change, such as setting clear emission reduction aims and integrating adaptation into national development plans. The recommendations also encourage a common position among Arab countries in the international climate negotiations. AFED presented these recommendations at the climate change summit in Copenhagen.(Kerstin Fritzsche)

The AFED report on climate change implications in the Arab World can be downloaded at http://www.afedonline.org/afedreport09/default.asp


The recommendations of the conference can be downloaded at http://www.afedonline.org/en/inner.aspx?contentID=437

Published in: ECC-Newsletter, December 2009