We are proud to have played a crucial sponsorship and partnership role during the The 7th Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASSELLMU) Conference. Through our established professional networks, media and communications expertise, and overall commitment to advancing ESG and sustainability initiatives, we were instrumental in expertly directing sustainability dialogue while underlining the importance of why environmental law in the MENA Region must be aligned in consideration of advancements in digital technology.
The conference with the theme, “Environmental Law in the Digital Age”, built upon the achievements from the first six conferences held in Doha (Qatar) in 2018, Settat (Morocco) in 2019, Doha (Qatar) in 2021, Amman (Jordan) in 2023 Sohar (Oman) in 2024, and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) in 2025. This year’s conference will bring together educators, university instructors, trainers, and practitioners with expertise in environmental law and policy, as well as computer and data science, to exchange knowledge and share experiences. The goal is to foster learning and collaboration in strengthening environmental law education and practice in the region, with a particular focus on the role of innovative technologies.
During Day 1 of the Conference opened with Welcome Remarks from Elena Athwal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ICELIS Global, Professor Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, Professor of Law and UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar; President and Chair, ASSELLMU, Professor Beatriz Garcia, Associate Professor, Sustainability Officer, Law ,Economics and Management Department, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Professor Patricia Mbote SC, Director, Law Division, United Nations Environment Programme.
It also featured a Keynote Speech from Professor Patricia Mbote SC, whose speech laid an incredible foundation for the Conference’s agenda and objectives. An esteemed legal scholar, academic, law and policy advisor with a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Professor Mbote expertly covered the importance of the evolution of environmental law to align with present digital innovations.
The conference also featured 3 workshops which centered around 3 themes of the conference:
Workshop 1: The Teaching and Practice of Environmental Law in the MENA Region: Current Status and Future Directions
Workshop 2: The Twin Transition Unpacked: Myths, Narratives, and Foundations of the Ecological and Digital – Transition & the EAD- ADERN Experience
Workshop 3: Resolving Legal Disputes and Mitigating Environmental Risks of Emerging Technologies
Day 2 of the Conference commenced with Welcome Remarks from Dr. Omar Khataibeh, Member, ASSELLMU Executive Council, and a Keynote Speech from Prof. Ignacio Tirado, Secretary General, International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT). A renowned legal consultant with deep expertise in international law and commercial practice, Professor Tirado provided insights into the impact of digital technologies on environmental law and the economy.
It also featured a second series of workshops:
Workshop 4: Panel Discussions: Business and Industry Perspectives
Workshop 5: The Legal Status and Regime of Environmental Data: conflicting narratives over the legal status and regime of environmental data
Workshop 6: Legal Pathways to Harness the Power of Digital Technology for Sustainability
The Conference underlined the crucial importance of dialogue and actionable recommendations towards navigating environmental law and regulation in a rapidly advancing legal age. It also spurred progressive conversations on the participation of environmental academia and youths across the MENA region to guarantee harmony between environmental enhancements and technological development.