​Contributed by Zayed Alzyoud  

Edited by Suha Alsubaih

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, the International Conference on Climate Change and Health in the Arab Region: Advancing Regional Interdisciplinary Collaborations (CCHAR) commenced on Monday, drawing broad participation from regional and international experts, researchers, and policymakers.

On behalf of His Royal Highness, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Jordan (UJ), Prof. Adnan Badran, inaugurated the conference in the presence of Prof. Ziad Hawamdeh, Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs, representing the University President.

In his opening remarks, Badran warned that the world is facing an unprecedented existential crisis that demands immediate and collective action. He advocated for equitable taxation of polluting countries and corporations and called for greater support for developing nations to enhance their environmental resilience. “Pollution knows no borders and threatens human health everywhere,” he said.

He further cautioned that if current trends persist, coastal regions may be submerged, placing nearly half of the world’s population at risk and potentially eradicating 50 per cent of global biodiversity, endangering food security and public health. These risks are particularly severe in the Middle East, where rising temperatures and declining rainfall are already evident.

Hashemite University (HU) President, Prof. Khaled Hyari, stated that the conference reflects a strong commitment to aligning scientific research with the real-world challenges of climate change and public health. He emphasised that climate change is no longer a theoretical debate but a tangible crisis, as evidenced by droughts, sandstorms, and heat-related illnesses.

Chair of the Scientific Committee, Prof. Fayez Abdullah, explained that the four-day conference focuses on five key themes: energy, water, food, environment, and health. The event brings together scientists and professionals from leading Arab and international institutions and is jointly organised by the Hashemite University, the University of Jordan, and Jordan University of Science and Technology, in cooperation with the Climate Action Network Arab World and the Royal Scientific Society.

Professor of Public Health at the University of California, San Diego, Prof. Wael Al-Delaimy, noted that the conference is part of a broader five-year research initiative funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, with a total budget of approximately $6 million. These projects—the first of their kind in the region—aim to safeguard public health against the escalating impacts of climate change.

As part of its active engagement, UJ contributed three significant research papers examining the intersections of climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable development.

Dr. Osama Ayadi, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, presented a study on the potential of agrivoltaic systems to support a just energy transition by integrating solar technologies into agricultural practices. Engineer Lara Shboul showcased the use of large language models to enhance forecasting of renewable energy production and electricity consumption in Jordan, demonstrating the transformative potential of AI in national energy planning. Additionally, Prof. Munther Al-Salaymeh, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, in collaboration with Dr. Bilal Al-Salaymeh and Dr. Sahban Al-Naser, presented research on integrating demand-side energy management schemes with photovoltaic systems under net-billing policies, highlighting their role in boosting efficiency and supporting Jordan’s strategic energy goals.