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The Al-Attiyah Foundation’s latest sustainability research paper warns that the race to protect food production in fragile environments in the Mena region is accelerating and the window for meaningful action is narrowing.The report, “Sustainable Agriculture in Arid Countries”, paints a sobering picture.Mena holds just 1% of the world’s freshwater yet supports 6% of the global population.For many farmers, this scarcity is no longer an abstract statistic. It is the reason crops yield less, reservoirs dry earlier each year, and groundwater wells sink deeper into deficit. Climate driven droughts have already reduced harvests by 10-30%, threatening both food security and household incomes across the region.Across the Middle East and North Africa, farmers, families and entire communities now stand at a defining crossroads.In the world’s driest region, where every drop of water carries the weight of a livelihood, rising temperatures, deepening droughts and shrinking freshwater reserves are reshaping daily life.“Amid these challenges, there are signs of hope”, Al-Attiyah Foundation noted.Countries such as Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in technologies that give farmers a fighting chance.Precision irrigation, solar powered desalination, climate-smart greenhouses and digital farming tools are helping communities make the most of the water they have.Qatar’s ‘HAIAT’ precision agriculture project, for example, uses satellite data and artificial intelligence to guide farmers on exactly when and how much to irrigate. These innovations show what is possible when science and sustainability work hand in hand.However, many farmers in the region remain in the margins.High upfront costs keep modern irrigation and protected farming systems out of reach for smallholders, the very people who grow a significant share of the region’s food. Despite carrying the greatest climate burden, they receive less than one percent of global climate finance.The report calls for new financial lifelines such as blended finance, concessional loans and climate insurance that can help farmers stay afloat when droughts strike. A recent $7.9mn drought insurance payout in Syria, which supported one hundred and twenty thousand people, shows how powerful these tools can be when designed well.Al-Attiyah Foundation concluded that the region was entering a race for resilience. The countries that will thrive are those that scale water efficient technologies, strengthen governance and unlock climate finance not only for major producers but for the countless small farmers whose resilience keeps food on tables across the region.

The Al-Attiyah Foundation was a ‘Knowledge Partner’ at the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Qatar 2025, held on at Georgetown University in Qatar Saturday.Organised under YOUNGO, the youth constituency of the UNFCCC, the event gathered students, activists, and experts to channel youth-driven messages into the COP climate process.As part of its contribution, Al-Attiyah Foundation hosted a high-level panel discussion that explored the complex and urgent transition facing energy-producing nations.The session was attended by young delegates from across Qatar and beyond, and featured dynamic exchanges between experts from industry, academia, and policymaking.The distinguished panel included Adil Mohammad, Deputy CEO of MBK-Global; Michael Wood, Partner, Mena EY Sustainability; and Dr Marcello Contestabile, Chief Economist at QEERI.Together, they addressed pressing issues such as the balance between energy security and climate goals, the role of natural gas as a transition fuel, and the opportunities presented by emerging technologies including carbon capture, green hydrogen, and energy storage solutions.The discussion also examined the financing and policy frameworks needed to accelerate renewable energy deployment, with a particular focus on how sovereign wealth funds and state-owned enterprises can lead the way in diversification.Importantly, the panel emphasised the role of youth in driving innovation, awareness, and advocacy for a just and ambitious energy transition.The session drew on Qatar’s unique position as a global leader in LNG production and its growing investments in renewable energy, situating the Mena region at the heart of global climate and energy debates.The conversation underscored both the opportunities and challenges for countries reliant on fossil fuel revenues as they seek to align with the Paris Agreement and the global net-zero agenda.Through the event, the Al-Attiyah Foundation reaffirmed its role as a bridge between policymakers, industry leaders, and the next generation, highlighting the importance of youth voices in shaping pragmatic yet ambitious pathways to sustainability.The outcomes of the session will contribute to the official LCOY Qatar 2025 statement, ensuring that the perspectives of young people in the region are heard on the global stage.

The Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards for Lifetime Achievement will take place in October, with preparations now well advanced for this landmark event.Organised by the Al-Attiyah Foundation, the Awards recognise outstanding individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing the global energy industry. Six distinguished industry leaders will be honoured for their lifetime achievements.The Awards embody the vision and legacy of HE Abdullah bin Hamad al- Attiyah, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry, whose leadership helped shape Qatar’s position as a global energy leader.The 2025 ceremony and gala dinner is sponsored by ExxonMobil, and will bring together over 300 senior executives, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the global energy landscape.Since its establishment in 2015, the Al-Attiyah Foundation has provided trusted analysis and insights into the most pressing challenges and opportunities in energy and sustainable development, through its research publications, CEO Roundtables, podcasts, webinars and regular events.The Foundation’s achievements and growth are made possible by its esteemed member organisations, which include some of the world’s most influential companies: QatarEnergy, Qatar Electricity & Water Co., Woqod, QNB, QatarEnergy LNG, Dolphin Energy, Qatar Shell, QAPCO (Qatar Petrochemical Company), Marubeni, ConocoPhillips, QAFCO (Qatar Fertiliser Company), Sasol, Q-Chem, Gulf Helicopters, Qatar Cool, and JTA Holding.