The Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) announced the program of side events for the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP-28), hosted by the United Arab Emirates, at Expo City Dubai, during the period from November 30 to December 12, 2023.

The program of side events includes holding 3 events organized by the Arab Network for Environment and Development “Raed”, headed by Dr. Imad El-Din Adly, the general coordinator of the network, through civil society organizations that are members of the network in a number of Arab countries, and in cooperation with regional and international organizations and bodies.

The first side event of the “Raed” network begins on Monday, December 4, with a symposium entitled “Considering human mobility caused by climate and disasters within national strategies and policies,” in cooperation with the League of Arab States and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

The symposium aims to shed light on the gaps that currently exist in national and regional efforts, coordinated by the Arab Mechanism for Disaster Risk Reduction in the League of Arab States, and the main group of civil society organizations affiliated with the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative, to address climate and human mobility resulting from disasters. There is still a need for local solutions, based on a comprehensive and participatory approach.

The second side event of the “Raed” Network on Saturday, December 9, entitled “Focus on Food and Early Warning Systems in Different Regions… Challenges and Experts,” and organized by the Kuwait Environmental Protection Society (KEPS), in cooperation with the Engineering Society for Development and Environment (EADE), a member of the network. Arabic in the Republic of Iraq.

The symposium focuses on reviewing the financial and technical support mechanisms necessary for effective early warning systems in the context of production systems based on maintaining food sovereignty, improving the livelihoods of vulnerable rural communities, and reducing losses and damages, in addition to exchanging experiences between Africa and the Arab region.

The third side event of the Arab Network for Environment and Development will be on Monday, December 11, entitled “Promoting Localization to Reduce Climate Damage and Promote Climate Justice in the Arab Region,” and it is organized through the Green Generation Environmental Association (GGF), a member of the “Raed” Network in the Kingdom of Jordan. and the Somali Youth Development Foundation (SYDF).

The session aims to discuss local efforts and experiences in the Arab region towards strong societal resilience. It also discusses efforts made to enhance climate justice to address the effects of climate change, promote sustainable development, and ensure justice and equity in facing climate challenges.