An Unexpected Plan for Peace in the Middle East | Nada Majdalani | TED

Overview

Nada Majdalani, Palestinian director of EcoPeace Middle East, presents a bold vision for peace in the Middle East through environmental collaboration. She highlights the region's vulnerability to climate change and introduces the Peace Triangle initiative, which leverages shared resources like water and renewable energy to foster economic interdependence and geopolitical stability among Palestinians, Israelis, and Jordanians.

Notable Quotes

- Amid the loudness of bombs, famine, and fear, there's a silent threat multiplying: climate change. – Nada Majdalani, on the overlooked dangers of environmental instability.

- We refuse the status quo. We dream forward. – Nada Majdalani, on EcoPeace's commitment to transformative solutions.

- Tell the people that in the Middle East, we have people who work together on concrete, bold ideas because we want to move forward. – Nada Majdalani, on the power of shared vision and collaboration.

🌍 Climate Change as a Catalyst for Peace

- The Middle East is a climate hotspot, with temperatures projected to rise by 5–8°C and precipitation to decrease by 40% by the century's end.

- Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, such as unequal access to water and pollution that transcends borders.

- Nada emphasizes that the region's interconnected vulnerabilities demand cooperative solutions.

🤝 EcoPeace Middle East: A Model for Cross-Border Collaboration

- EcoPeace Middle East is co-led by Palestinian, Israeli, and Jordanian directors, representing a team of 60 environmental peacebuilders.

- The organization trains thousands of young professionals annually in water diplomacy, climate change, and negotiation skills.

- Cross-border initiatives include providing green solutions to schools, businesses, and farmers, as well as addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

🔺 The Peace Triangle Initiative

- The Peace Triangle integrates Palestine, Israel, and Jordan into the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), launched at the 2023 G20 Summit.

- Key projects include:

- Large-scale renewable energy production in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, with Gaza as a node for exporting energy to Europe.

- A desalination plant in Gaza to provide clean water to Gaza, the West Bank, and Jordan.

- Extending a railway from the Gulf to Gaza and Haifa, transforming the region into a trade conduit between India, the Middle East, and Europe.

- These projects aim to create economic interdependence, akin to the post-WWII European Coal and Steel Agreement.

💡 Vision Beyond Conflict

- Nada draws parallels between the European Union's origins and the potential for the Middle East to transform through shared resources.

- She acknowledges the skepticism and accusations of treason faced by EcoPeace members but underscores their resilience and commitment to peace.

- The initiative aspires to make the two-state solution viable, reconstruct Gaza, and achieve regional integration.

🌱 A Call to Action

- Nada urges the global community to amplify stories of coexistence and collaboration in the Middle East.

- She emphasizes that peace and prosperity in the region are not only possible but essential for a shared future.