ROLES OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS ON PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST: EXAMPLE OF THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS

Abstract

Since time immemorial, the Middle East has periodically suffered numerous and various conflicts. Throughout the ages, these conflicts and their reasons have been analysed from different perspectives and varied resolutions have been offered. However, so far, efforts have had limited success and many conflicts remain. Moreover, the region has also been suffering from environmental problems and environment-related conflicts for a long time. Nevertheless, as such problems and conflicts are exacerbating, general awareness over the protection of environment and desire for environmental justice and peace is also increasing. The Abraham Accords, signed between the State of Israel and 4 Arab nations, are the most recent and solid reflections of this awareness and desire, as the Accords created a new chance for parties to normalize their relations, and allowed parties to protect fragile environment of the region by predicting cooperation on vital topics namely environment, and water. Moreover, the Accords set an example to normalize other strained relations and long-standing environment-related conflicts in the region. Eventually, by initiating such legal and political co-operation processes, regional actors can take many social and environmental advantages while ensuring a degree of prosperity and security at the same time in the region which desperately needs it.