RIYADH, 8 October, 2023 - 47 students and 2 lecturers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently embarked on a momentous journey to Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), to participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Middle East and North Africa Climate Week 2023 (MENA CW 2023).

The global event, which runs from October 8th to October 12th, 2023, provides a vital platform for discussions and collaborations aimed at addressing the pressing issue of climate change.

MENA CW 2023, along with other Regional Climate Weeks, serves as a forum for policymakers, practitioners, businesses, and civil society to exchange ideas, share best practices, and foster collaboration in the fight against climate change.

The USM delegation, led by Associate Professor Dr. Japareng Lalung (School of Industrial Technology) and Nor Rafida Binti Mohd Seni (School of Languages, Literacies and Translation), arrived in Riyadh along with the students with a commitment to engage in discussions regarding climate solutions, barriers, and opportunities specific to the region.

Japareng, who is also the Coordinator of RCE@Penang, under the USM Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS) are present together with the delegation at MENA CW 2023.

The trip underscores USM's dedication to environmental sustainability and global cooperation. The USM International Mobility and Collaboration Centre (IMCC) also coordinated the trip, in addition to financing from the government of Saudi Arabia, in the selection of student participants, as well as in liaising with the Malaysian Embassy authorities in Riyadh.

In Riyadh, the USM delegation would be joining voices from across the globe, united in their commitment to mitigate the effects of climate change and working towards a sustainable future.

The highlight of the MENA CW 2023 is the first global Stocktake. It is where nations and organizations worldwide would assess their progress in implementing the goals of the Paris Agreement. It aims to accelerate efforts in various areas critical to addressing climate change. This Stocktake is set to conclude at COP 28 in the United Arab Emirates in December 2023.

The conference is organised around four major systems-based tracks, namely "Energy Systems and Industry"; "Cities, Urban and Rural Settlements, Infrastructure, and Transport"; "Land, Ocean, Food and Water"; and "Societies, Health, Livelihoods, and Economies".

Delegates would have the opportunities to explore innovative ideas and solutions that would prioritise human well-being, and how issues or problems regarding the four tracks would relate to the understanding of climate-related matters.

The outcomes of MENA CW 2023 will not only contribute to regional progress, but will also play a crucial role in informing the global Stocktake, setting the stage for COP 28 in December.

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin