Online meeting ahead of COP28

The Swedish Dialogue Institute for the Middle East and North Africa hosted an online meeting on October 31st focused on "Sharing Experiences and Best Practices Ahead of COP28". The meeting was moderated by Martina Berglund, the Institute’s Deputy Director, and convened a wide array of stakeholders from the MENA region and Sweden, including a blend of first-time and more experienced COP participants across civil society, governmental, and private sectors.

Objectives were to enhance connectivity, share preparatory best practices for COP28, and encourage policy dialogues relevant to climate change, with an emphasis on youth involvement and inter-regional collaboration. During the meeting, the panellists:

• Emphasized the need for strategic groundwork and inclusive participation in climate action.

• Advocated for substantial representation of youth and marginalized groups and stressed the importance of recognizing unique challenges in different regions and different countries within regions, especially in the MENA area.

• Discussed the necessity of tailoring solutions, transcending national agendas for global benefit, and fostering trust and mutual understanding through continuous dialogue and collaboration.

• Underlined transparency and accountability, along with the interconnection between climate issues and broader concerns like governance, justice, and security.

• Acknowledged the importance of customized climate loss and damage funds, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

To learn more about the online meeting, read the full report.