The first-ever Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Climate Week was held from 28 to 31 March 2022 in Dubai, hosted by the Government of the United Arab Emirates. The ILO participated in the event with a focus on highlighting the social dimension of climate action, and promoting social justice, decent work and economic development that is good for people and nature.

MENA Climate Week 2022 provides a platform for governments, cities, private sector leaders, financial institutions, and civil society to discuss opportunities to build forward from the pandemic by identifying opportunities to enhance climate action. The event brought together key stakeholders to take the pulse of climate action in the region, explore climate challenges and opportunities and showcase ambitious solutions.

As part of MENA Climate Week 2022 programme, the ILO, together with the UNFCCC secretariat, organized a four-day training on Climate Policy Perspectives and Energy Transition in MENA Region and a one-day workshop on Youth, Climate Change and Employment Opportunities.

Representatives from MENA countries, mainly from Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Environment and Climate Change, participated in the training together with international organisations and multilateral development banks, including the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Islamic Development Bank.

ILO officials presented the ILO’s work on Green Jobs Assessment Models, Just Transition Policies, Skills and Social Protection and had fruitful exchanges with participants. Representatives gained a good understanding of just transition policies in the MENA region and the economic modelling tools to inform policy.

MENA Climate Week 2022 provides important momentum for a successful COP27 in Egypt at the end of this year. The ILO continues to engage in the UN Climate Change process.

For more information about MENA Climate Week 2022, please visit the event page.