The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is rapidly urbanizing in the face of a changing climate, presenting significant challenges to its cities. Over 65 per cent of the population live in cities, and this is set to double by 2050. This urbanization is happening amid increasing temperatures, extreme weather events, and exacerbated water scarcity due to climate change. 

In this context, the MENA Climate Week 2023 is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 8 to 12 October, presenting important opportunities to address the critical issue of urban resilience.

UN-Habitat will host discussions with key stakeholders and partners addressing various aspects of climate change and urban development in the MENA region, including plastic pollution, decarbonization, gender-sensitive planning, energy efficiency, ecosystem-based adaptation, and the transformative role of cities.

These discussions will feed into the global discussions taking place at COP28 including at the Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change on 6 December. 

UN-Habitat will be hosting the following discussions at the MENA Climate Week:

  • Action Hub event – Informal women against plastic and climate change (Tunisia/Libya) (Location: Zone 3, Action Hub), 10 October, 9.45 a.m. – 10.45 a.m.
  • Forging pathways for building decarbonization and resilience in MENA (Location: Zone 8, Theatre 1), 10 October, 14.00 p.m. – 15.15 p.m.
  • Climate resilient and gender-sensitive municipal planning in the Arab region (Jordan/Lebanon) (Location: Zone 5.5, Al Ula meeting room), 11 October, 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.
  • Mitigating climate change through energy efficiency and transformative actions, UN Tools to support Saudi Vision 2030 (Location: Zone 5.5, Al Ula meeting room), 11 October, 14.30 p.m. – 17.00 p.m.
  • Urban Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Mainstreaming and examples for healthy Arab cities (Location: Zone 5.6, Al Jouf meeting room), 12 October, 9.00 a.m. – 10.00 a.m.
  • Cities as drivers of transformative action: Transforming MENA cities (Location: Zone 5.5, Al Ula Meeting Room), 12 October, 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.

 

For more information on the event schedule, visit the MENA Climate Week website.

For further information about UN-Habitat’s involvement in these events, please follow us on social media.