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GlobalABC events & regional roundtables

Forging Pathways for Sustainable and Resilient Buildings in the MENA Region
| 14:00-15:15 Arabia Standard Time

Zone 8, Theatre 1

Boulevard Riyadh City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), in collaboration with UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, France, will be co-leading an Action Track Event on buildings, titled "Forging Pathways for Sustainable and Resilient Buildings in the MENA Region, under Track 2 (Cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport) of the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week (MENACW) 2023. This session will take place on 10 October 2023, 14:00-15:15 Arabia Standard Time at Boulevard Riyadh City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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English

French

Arabic

 

Overview

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region represented only 5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2019, yet human activities in the region are among the most carbon-intensive per capita. In particular, urban GHG emissions have witnessed a concerning rise in recent years, to which the buildings sector emerges as a main contributor. The buildings sector also accounts for more than 20% of final energy consumption. Therefore, decarbonising the built environment is of great importance given the associated environmental benefits, as well as the great business and economic opportunities: in emerging markets, the sector provides an estimated value of USD 25 trillion by 2030.

Across the MENA region, disparities in terms of demography, economy, energy intensity, GHG emissions, and policies governing the buildings sector present both challenges and opportunities for decarbonising the built environment. As population growth and urbanisation reach their peak, the region’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change further intensifies. Enhancing the resilience of buildings is thus critical. Responsible for ca. 40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, the buildings sector offers an immense opportunity to drive transformative change and present the most cost-effective mitigation potential among all industrial sectors. It also brings opportunities for adopting building sustainability practices and increasing resilience.

Addressing the region’s diversity with regard to buildings and construction will be essential in formulating tailored strategies to achieve sustainable and inclusive decarbonisation goals in the MENA region. To support these efforts, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has developed a comprehensive roadmap for buildings and construction in the Arab region, serving as a blueprint for countries to initiate, support, and complement their decarbonization ambitions by 2050. During the event, these strategies will be showcased, and participants will hear from key regional actors about their actions towards decarbonising the sector. Additionally, the event will highlight the significance of international collaboration and collaborative models, exemplified by the Buildings Breakthrough initiative, jointly led by France and the Kingdom of Morocco, under the coordination of GlobalABC. This initiative aims to unite all stakeholders in the sector's value chain around a common vision for 2030 and drive impactful collective actions. Finally, participants will discuss strategies to make COP28 a stepping stone to accelerate building decarbonisation and resilience in the MENA region and beyond.

Agenda

Time (AST)

Agenda item

Speakers

14:00-14:05

Opening Remarks
Welcome and Importance of a shared vision & collaboration to transform the sector.
Importance of the Buildings Breakthrough and involvement of non-State actors.

H.E. Razan al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 (PRE-RECORDED VIDEO)

14:05-14:10

Keynote

HE Majid bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Hoqail, Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, Saudi Arabia (PRE-RECORDED VIDEO)

14:10-14.30

Fireside chat: Paving the way for a low emissions built environment in MENA

  • Unveiling the power of international cooperation for a decarbonized buildings and construction sector in the MENA Region
  • Current barriers and opportunities for countries' engagement in addressing and lowering emissions in the buildings and construction sector in MENA (commitment, NDCs/NAPs, building codes, etc.)
  • Role of governments in leading by example to catalyse transformative change

Ms. Rania Hedeya, UN-Habitat Regional Office for Arab States
 
Nesen Surmeli-Anac, Associate Director, Guidehouse & Programme Manager, Cool Up
 
ModeratorYves-Laurent Sapoval, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, France

14:30-14.55

Panel Discussion: Setting the transformation in motion: Empowering the buildings and construction value chain

Rasmi Hamzeh, Executive Director, Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF), Ministry Of Energy & Mineral Resources (MEMR)
 
Alida Saleh, Senior Advisor Climate Champions, Built Environment & Head of Sustainability, JLL
 
Mohamed Amer, Regional Director of Operations, International Code Council MENA Regional Office
 
ModeratorYves-Laurent Sapoval, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, France

14:55-15:10

Q&A

ModeratorYves-Laurent Sapoval, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, France

15:10-15:15

Closing Remarks

Sami Dimassi, Regional Director and Representative, Regional Office for West Asia, UNEP

Objectives

  • Raise awareness on the importance of the buildings and construction sector in offering transformative change;
  • Enhance international and multi-level collaborations for more integrated and effective actions (e.g. policies, strategies and plans) in response to climate change;
  • Showcase localized tools and strategies, and build capacity for a sustainable and resilient built environment.
  • Endorsement of the roadmap for buildings and construction in the Arab region and the Buildings Breakthrough by key governments and organisations in the region.
  • Identify strategies to make COP28 a stepping stone for building decarbonisation and resilience in the MENA region.

Key Outcomes 

  • Increased collaboration with MENA countries and initiatives to adopt best practices and accelerate progress.
  • Contribute to sustainable and resilient building design and construction practices in the region
  • Adoption of  building codes and regulations, clean tech and energy-efficient building practices.
  • Strengthened capacity, promoting research and innovation to transition to a low-carbon economy.
  • Countries in the MENA region develop their own roadmaps based on the roadmap for the Arab League.
  • Transform markets making near-zero emission and resilient buildings more accessible, affordable and achievable.

Register here

 

Topics:
Adaptation/Resilience
Affordable housing
Appliances and Systems
Building operations
Circularity
Clean Energy
Embodied carbon
Existing buildings
Financing
Materials
New buildings
Urban planning