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Category: MENA NEWS

Middle Eastern Perspectives

Attendance at the Herzliya Conference, or “Herzlia” as some pronounce it, is seen as a new station in exploring and understanding the spectra of Israeli politics and Israelis, as well as others who attended or participated in its sessions. Investigation was the key to all discussions to understand the details of recent approaches towards the (Chinese/American) region and the potential transformations it may produce in the regional balances. Despite the diversity of Israeli perspectives, their security concern remains the primary driving and governing force for their regional outlook, followed by the development of what the Abraham Accords have established. The third is achieving “normalization” with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is manifested in their urging of the American ally to leverage all its political weight with Riyadh to achieve that. Despite the absence of accounting for the costs or consequences of such an approach from the Israeli side, or understanding and comprehending Riyadh’s priorities from its Saudi and Islamic perspective, the second driving force is the unstable political situation in Israel, which “repels” any possibility of such rapprochement.

The Establishment of the MENA2050 Climate Action Committee: Working Towards a Greener Future

Climate change is not just an environmental concern; it is a multifaceted challenge that affects socioeconomic factors, public health, and even geopolitical stability. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, in particular, is highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. With its arid climate, rapid population growth, and socio-economic disparities, the region faces significant risks such as increased desertification, water scarcity, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels. To address these challenges and seize the opportunities for regional cooperation, the MENA2050 Climate Action Committee (CAC) has been established.

Navigating Rough Seas: MENA Charting a Course towards Collaboration.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, rich in culture, history, and resources, is a region of remarkable diversity and complexity. Its geostrategic position has stimulated both conflict and competition among regional powers and global influences, which have often led to destabilization. This intricate nexus of factors has contributed to the region’s unique challenges, making it a distinctive case amid the growing global trend towards interconnectedness and interdependence.

The escalating global interdependence can exacerbate instability for regions like the MENA, which grapples with internal fragmentation while trying to find a path to comprehensive cooperation. The adverse impacts of global issues such as pandemics and conflicts underline how this interconnectedness can have negative consequences. Gleaning from other regions’ experiences, both the positive and negative, is crucial for MENA’s journey towards cooperation.

Why did I join MENA2050?

When a communal conflict is both violent and intractable it is worth considering whether it may become less impossible to resolve if we change our perspective.
The Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ came to an end when people began to see the context as something broader than just a struggle between Pro-British Protestants and Pro-Irish Catholics within Northern Ireland. We started to appreciate that the problem of disturbed historic relationships also involved the relationships between North and South in Ireland, and between Britain and Ireland. Addressing these wider sets of relationships within the European Union context, and with a positive US approach, led to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998 and whatever the political difficulties, there has been no serious threat since then of a return to the violence of the past.

Exclusive Interview: Dr. Hakima El Haite on Climate Change and Insights into COP28

In an exclusive interview conducted by Maria Maalouf, gain insights into the perspectives of Dr. Hakima El Haite, the esteemed head of MENA2050’s Climate Change Committee, on the subjects of climate change and the upcoming COP28 event. The conversation explores the role of the United Arab Emirates as the host, Western reactions to the event, and the outcomes of COP27. Additionally, it delves into aspects of renewable energy in the USA and its partnership with the United Arab Emirates in the context of climate change. Dr. El Haite provides insights into Morocco’s approach to addressing climate issues, drawing from her experience as the former Minister of Environment in Morocco. This interview offers insight into the challenges and opportunities in the context of COP28.

Interview with Pierre Henri Guignard: A Path towards Climate Collaboration

Explore the insights of former French ambassador Pierre Henri Guignard as he shares his perspective on climate action and his role in the MENA 20-50 Climate Action Committee. In this interview conducted by Maria Maalouf, delve into the significance of the COP 21 conference and the Paris Agreement in the global fight against climate change. Guignard underscores the urgency of implementation and adaptation measures, highlighting the vital role of cooperation and the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). He also discusses the collaborative efforts between the United States and China on climate issues, the United Arab Emirates’ hosting of COP 28, and the impactful initiatives such as Masdar in Abu Dhabi.

Raphael Luzon on Recent Libya Scandal

In this interview conducted by Maria Maalouf, Raphael Luzon, Chairman of the Union of Libyan Jews and one of the Directors of MENA 2050, provides insights into the current situation in Libya and addresses various key points. The interview covers topics such as the ongoing division in Libya and potential solutions, the influence of the Wagner Group, Egypt’s impact on Libya, Libya’s energy resources, the impact of Sudan’s situation on Libya, Turkey’s role in Libya, recent meetings between Israeli and Libyan foreign affairs ministers, the humanitarian role of the United Arab Emirates in Libya, the status of Libyan elections, and Luzon’s role within MENA 2050 and its objectives.

The lynchpin of a sustainable MENA Geopolitical structure:

Tackling food and water insecurity at the microcosm

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region finds itself at a critical juncture, grappling with food insecurity, water scarcity, and the impacts of climate change. The region’s struggles are most acute at the microcosm level – the individual farmers and herders who form an important sector of society.

1. On this front of the battle against climate change lies an opportunity for regional stakeholders to consider that more efforts directed at this sector shall serve not only as ideal ground where the latest Agritech and hydrotech solutions are further deployed, refined, and spread across the region, but also as a kind of incubator for an entrepreneurial ecosystem where ideas experiments and modules of regional collaboration can be nurtured and developed.

MENA2050