26-02-2025
Oman Climate Week came at the right time, say experts
Muscat, Feb 26
As Oman Climate Week came to a close, officials, experts, speakers and researchers reflected on the importance of the event, which sparked discussions on various aspects of climate change impact.
In an exclusive interview with the Observer, Dr Hani El Shaer, IUCN Regional Director for West Asia, emphasised the impact of climate change on biodiversity. He stated, "We are losing biodiversity, habitats and species. We are witnessing the shifting of ecosystems, so it is crucial for countries to come together to decide on necessary actions. We appreciate Oman's leadership in bringing together experts, institutions, countries and international organisations to discuss and agree on measures needed to address climate change." Dr El Shaer described Oman Climate Week as one of the most successful conferences in the region. He highlighted the urgency of the climate crisis, citing examples from hurricanes to floods and the disappearance of species.
He mentioned that last year alone, the West Asia region experienced 70 droughts, prompting the IUCN to focus on restoration, reforestation, livelihood enhancement and resilience-building efforts in collaboration with governments, NGOs and the business sector. Dr El Shaer emphasised the need for transformative action from countries and individuals to address the impacts of climate change.
He explained that Oman is taking steps towards large-scale actions such as restoration, reforestation and combating coral bleaching. The country is also collaborating with the IUCN on initiatives like the Green List, aimed at protecting biodiversity effectively. Dr El Shaer expressed optimism that Oman could have sites declared on the Green List in the near future and highlighted efforts to protect other species through the Red List.
Dr Earl Goetheer, a chemical engineer from the Netherlands, spoke at Oman Climate Week on carbon capture.
Reflecting on his experience, he praised the students of Oman for their forward-thinking approach to solving future problems.
Hannah Woodley from the British Embassy commended the event for its diverse panels covering topics such as biodiversity, climate resilience and climate finance. Ruba Abdelqader Al Zubi from the UK FCDO Levant Region Climate Energy & Environment Lead also spoke at the event, praising Oman's potential to lead in climate action and highlighting the importance of resilience-building and accessible funding for vulnerable countries in the Middle East and North Africa region against extreme weather conditions and climate impacts.
