Tunis, Tunisia | 28–29 October 2026

The Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), in partnership with Tunisia’s National Agency for Energy Management (ANME), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through its Cool Coalition, and the Energy Department of the League of Arab States, with the support of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), organized the Second Regional Workshop on National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs) for the MENA Region, held on 28–29 October 2026 in Tunis, Tunisia.

The hybrid workshop brought together representatives from 17 Arab countries, alongside international organizations, development partners, and technical experts, to exchange experiences, share best practices, and discuss lessons learned in developing and implementing NCAPs, while strengthening regional cooperation on sustainable cooling.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Maged Mahmoud, Acting Executive Director of RCREEE; Dr. Nafaa Baccari, Director General of ANME; Mr. Roberto Borjabad, Programme Management Officer at UNEP’s Cool Coalition; and Dr. Abderrahmene Belhout, Director of the Energy Department at the League of Arab States.

The discussions highlighted the regional NCAP methodology, developed to address the specific cooling challenges of MENA countries, including rising temperatures, increasing energy demand, and the transition towards energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling solutions. Representatives from Tunisia, Morocco, Djibouti, Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon shared national experiences and lessons learned, highlighting progress, challenges, and opportunities for regional collaboration.

The workshop also focused on translating NCAPs into actionable and bankable projects, exploring available financing mechanisms, sustainable cooling business models, and opportunities to mobilize investment through partnerships with international development and financial institutions.

Looking ahead, RCREEE will work closely with countries across the MENA region to support the implementation of their NCAPs, in collaboration with financing institutions and development partners. These efforts will focus on translating national cooling priorities into concrete, investment-ready projects and facilitating access to financing opportunities to accelerate sustainable cooling solutions across the region.

The workshop concluded by emphasizing the importance of continued regional cooperation, strengthened institutional capacities, and the integration of sustainable cooling into national energy and climate strategies.