Unleashing the green energy potential in the Middle East, North, and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Mobilizing private capital & enhancing innovation capabilities in the renewables sector of the Middle East and North Africa region

The Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa regions boast abundant green energy resources, particularly sunlight and wind, offering significant potential for solar and wind power projects. Governments in the Middle East have embarked on ambitious renewable energy programs, while Sub-Saharan Africa is witnessing an expansion of off-grid solutions to improve energy access.

At the same time, the green energy sector in these regions faces fundamental challenges that must be addressed promptly to unlock the full potential of renewables. Overcoming these challenges is vital to realize the environmental and economic benefits of transitioning to sustainable energy sources in the region.

Join the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative in-person or virtually live from the Global Decarbonization Accelerator Connect space in the COP28 Green Zone on December 9th, 2023. The program will be in a hybrid format, combining virtual and in-person participation.

Agenda is subject to change.

AGENDA

Panel one

Unleashing the green energy potential in the Middle East, North, and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

10:30 – 11:15 am Gulf Standard Time
1:30 – 2:15 am ET

Experts will discuss how to overcome to a challenging geopolitical and economic climate to enable policymakers to implement necessary regulatory reforms and develop innovative solutions for supporting infrastructure, to generate investments in the region.

Featuring

Mai Abdelhalim, President, GE Vernova Africa

Marco Arcelli, Chief Executive Officer, ACWA Power

Ahmed Badr, Director, Project Facilitation & Support, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Moderator

Racha Helwa, Director, empowerME, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, Atlantic Council

Panel 1 bios

Panel two

Mobilizing private capital & enhancing innovation capabilities in the renewables sector of the Middle East and North Africa region

11:30 – 12:15 pm Gulf Standard Time
2:30 – 3:15 am ET

This session will discuss capital mobilization and innovation scaling up to promote the green energy sector in MENA, and it will feature discussions with leading experts from the region and globally.

Featuring

H.E. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, The United Arab Emirates

Jay Collins, Vice Chairman of Public Sector & Banking, Citi

Mahmoud Mohieldin, Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP27 and Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations

May Nasrallah, Founder and Executive Chairwoman, deNovo Partners

Moderator

Racha Helwa, Director, empowerME, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, Atlantic Council

Panel 2 bios

Middle East Programs

Through our Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs, the Atlantic Council works with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the invaluable human potential of the region.

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