The ACT Alliance Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region convened a successful three-day workshop on climate justice, biodiversity conservation, and creation care from 28 to 30 April 2025 in Amman. Co-organised by the ACT MENA Climate Justice Community of Practice (CJ CoP) and the MENA Faith-Based Actors for Climate Justice (FBC) Group, the workshop brought together twenty faith-based organisations and churches from across the region and beyond, united in their commitment to advancing environmental and climate justice.
The workshop served as a platform for participants to share regional climate and environmental initiatives, exchange best practices, and engage with expert insights. It also helped identify concrete opportunities for collaboration, strengthened coordination among faith-based actors, and reaffirmed the shared vision and structure of the CJ CoP and FBC Group.
“When political leaders fall short, people of faith step up to lead. We've exchanged knowledge and good practices and begun planning collaborative actions for greater impact. This meeting has inspired the ecumenical movement in the MENA region to deepen its engagement in ACT Alliance’s global efforts for climate justice. We must amplify the lived experiences of people in the MENA region and advocate for just peace, with both people and creation.”Margareta Koltai, ACT CoS
Participants engaged in thematic discussions, breakout sessions, and keynote addresses covering topics such as project-level Loss and Damage, regional power dynamics, ecotheology, and community-based climate risk assessments.
Key takeaways from the discussions included:
- A strengthened regional network for learning, sharing, and joint advocacy.
- The collective impact of local initiatives driving meaningful change.
- The workshop marked not just a space to showcase climate and conservation efforts, but also the launch of more targeted collaborations around advocacy for creation care.
“The main message emerging from the conference was that climate justice, social justice, and ecological justice are intrinsically linked. This connection is especially evident in the MENA region, where conflict continues to harm all of creation. Amid this crisis, churches are stepping forward to reimagine a world grounded in care. Bread for the World is proud to have supported this dialogue and remains committed to amplifying this message.”Ferdinand Girke, Bread for the World
A field visit to a permaculture site provided a hands-on element, grounding the discussions in the region’s environmental realities.
The workshop closed with a synthesis session and a renewed commitment to strengthening collective efforts that elevate the voice and influence of faith-based actors in climate action. It highlighted the power of faith-rooted values as a catalyst for climate adaptation, mitigation, and environmental advocacy, positioning them as a foundation for the socioecological transformation needed to confront today’s global challenges. This shared vision sets the stage for deeper cooperation and joint advocacy ahead of critical regional and international milestones, including COP30 in Belém.
