COP 27 and the Middle East – From Ambitious Climate Pledges to Action?

The 27th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Egypt from 6 to 18 November 2022. The location in Egypt, part of a wider Middle East region vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, offers a better opportunity to reflect regional concerns, challenges, and diverse national circumstances. This public discussion aims to examine the current state of climate action and implementation gaps in the Middle East. What are the key climate change challenges facing the Middle East countries? What are the climate adaptation implementation gaps in the Middle East? How will variant national circumstances shape Middle East countries’ contribution to climate mitigation and global energy transition? What are the specific climate policies and aspects of governance that contribute to more effective climate mitigation and adaptation? How can Middle East countries adapt to extreme weather events? What is the current state and gaps of climate finance in the Middle East? How can Middle East countries seize the opportunity to voice their regional climate concerns and interests at COP 27? The Middle East Institute, in collaboration with the Middle East Centre of the London School of Economics and Political Science, will host two panels to tackle these and other questions.