08 Apr 2018 – 9:01
The Peninsula
Doha: The College of Law and Public Policy (CLPP) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University held a two-day workshop on public-private partnership approaches for financing energy infrastructure projects.
Joining with global energy experts, professors and administrators from CLPP, the workshop examined how public-private partnerships can offer opportunities for private sector developers, financiers, and entrepreneurs to unlock new business opportunities in Qatar’s energy sector.
The Founding Dean of CLPP, Professor Clinton W Francis, noted that the college was uniquely situated to bring together experts and practitioners in the area of energy law. “The strength of our faculty and programs in priority areas such as international and comparative law, energy, infrastructure, and sustainable development will provide strong support for the robust realization of the Qatar National Vision 2030. I am pleased that we were able to convene this group to assist Qatar in progressing its national vision,” he said.
The workshop, which was held over two days, was chaired by Dr. Damilola S Olawuyi, associate professor of energy and environmental law at CLPP. The workshop was taught by experts in international energy law and policy, including Professor Bassam Fattouh, director, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, University of Oxford, Professor Raphael Heffron, chair in Global Energy Law and Sustainability, University of Dundee, Professor Yinka Omorogbe, attorney general and minister for justice, Edo State Government of Nigeria and former board secretary and general counsel, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Professor Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu, Associate Professor, College of Law, University of Saskatchewan and Professor Seline Trevisanut, professor and chair of International Law and Sustainability, Utrecht University.
In addition to the energy experts, the roundtable discussions at the workshop included representatives from Qatar’s legal community who specialise in commercial and energy fields.
Upon the conclusion of the workshop, Professor Francis said that as part of the workshop a new program was developed for CLPP, which will benefit both the College and Qatar. “One important outcome of this workshop is the launch of our International Law and Policy Research Program (ILPRP). The ILPRP will play a strategic role in enabling information exchange between international academics and the energy industry in Qatar,” he said.
The workshop follows a series of CLPP international events on environment and energy transitions in Qatar, most notably the 2017 Energy Transitions Conference, which took place last November, underscoring HBKU’s commitment to lead and facilitate topics that address energy and environmental development in the country, and create a tangible and positive impact on the community.
As part of CLPP’s commitment to tackle multidisciplinary policy challenges facing Qatar and the region, the college continues to host lectures, conferences, and other events to facilitate mutual dialogue between industry and academia that elicit thought-provoking debate and promote innovative solutions.
