The Arabian civil society united for facing climate change
"Arab Alliance against Climate Change" Calls on Arab Governments to do the same
[Amman/Beirut/Cairo/Dubai/Maghreb/Ramallah], August, 2008:
As the international community faces the challenge of developing a new treaty to replace Kyoto protocol after 2012, 19 NGOs from 9 different Arab countries unified their work on this process by forming the ‘Arab Climate Alliance’.
Climate change started harm people and Eco-systems around the world. This impact is reflected in the high prices of food and increased burning of forests and extreme weather situations (such as droughts, floods, etc). Climate change considered the greater threat against humanity. So that the Arab world will be the most harmed areas and that returns to decrease of water resources with a growing agricultural sector victim of the weather change. Which is threatens our water and food security.
A current debate around the world on a new comprehensive treaty to fight climate change, also known as "agreement after the 2012". In which, many sees that agreement as a last chance to avoid the disastrous climate change impacts. The world countries are active in the discussion of this treaty, except the Arab countries that have failed so far to take a unified stance and strong global negotiations. So that Arab civil communities decided to unify its efforts and push on governments to share the same problem with a positive and active partnership in such an international process.
With that point, 19 NGOs agreed on forming Arab Alliance, in which these organizations from nine Arabian countries, as well it worth to mention that Habi Center for Environmental Rights take a part in that Arab Alliance against Climate Change.
The alliance aims to:
1. To build the capacity of Arab civil society institutes on climate science and policy and specifically on the post-2012 agreement negotiations.
2. To increase the coordination and communication between these institutes on climate policy.
3. To converge policy position and conduct regional activities and communication on post-2012 climate negotiations.
4. And to advocate for a strong post-2012 climate policy among Arab states.
“Global problem like climate change requires global coordination, and it must be tackled through a coordinated effort of regional networks.” Hmaidan added.
The Arab Climate Alliance calls on other civil society organization to join the alliance, and calls on the Arab League to adopt a strong and constructive climate change position on all issues discussed at the post-2012 climate negotiations.
"On January, 2009 the Arab League will held an exceptional summit for economy and development topics, which climate change in the agenda. So that it's a rare chance for our governments to appear its concern in such a case"
Habi Center for Environmental Rights,
