J-PAL MENA climate conference: Partnership development for climate adaptation in the Arab states

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa (J-PAL MENA) at the American University in Cairo, together with Egypt's Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development and the Arab Water Council, will co-host a two-day conference titled 'Partnership development for climate adaptation in the Arab states.'

The conference will promote stakeholder cooperation towards climate action policy, leveraging J-PAL's insights on the impact of randomised evaluations in evidence-based policy building. A series of panels will address agriculture and food security, water quality and management, clean energy, education and green skills. Interactive sessions will encourage building partnerships, aligning on climate goals, and networking with researchers, policymakers and climate negotiators representing the Arab states at COP28.

Speakers at the opening ceremony include: HE Dr Hala El Said, minister of planning and economic development, Arab Republic of Egypt; HE Dr Hani Sewilam, minister of irrigation and water resources, Arab Republic of Egypt; Mahmoud Abu Zeid, president, Arab Water Council; Professor Ahmed Dallal, president of the American University in Cairo; Dr Ahmed Elsayed, executive director, J-PAL MENA; and George Richards, director, Community Jameel.

The conference will include the launch of the Community Jameel-supported J-PAL air and water lab in Egypt. The lab is part of a network of Climate Labs embedded with policymaking teams to promote evidence-based policy solutions that address the challenges of climate change.