The Middle East and North Africa Climate Week (MENACW) is an annual event that brings together leaders from governments, businesses, international organizations and civil society to explore ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while adapting to the mounting fallout from the climate crisis.

This year's event was sponsored by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the city of Riyadh. The first global stocktake, which will be finalized at COP 28 in the UAE in December this year, offered a unique opportunity to call for decisive and inclusive change and to urgently respond to the need to accelerate progress in all areas of the Paris Agreement.

MENACW 2023 is organized into four systems-based tracks, each focusing on specific themes:

• Energy systems and industry
• Cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport
• Land, ocean, food and water
• Societies, health, livelihoods, and economies

ANPERC Research Professor Thomas Finkbeiner spoke about the potential of geothermal energy in Saudi Arabia during a Fireside Chat, discussing the evaluation of sites for commercial scalability, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the diversification of the renewable energy mix.

Prof. Hussein Hoteit, Executive Secretary Gabrielle E. Abelskamp, and Ph.D. students Abdulwahab Alqahtani and Aytaj Khodayeva were also present at the event, showcasing new research and discussing KAUST's climate solutions.

“I was delighted to attend MENA Climate Week in Riyadh and represent KAUST and ANPERC to showcase our latest research and innovative technologies developed by KAUST researchers to combat climate change and advance the protection of the environment,” Alqahtani said.