Egypt, 5 March 2024: Ahmed Al-Attar, pioneer of environmental journalism in the MENA region, passed away on February 29. The news deeply shocked the journalistic community, as many journalists expressed their profound sorrow for the loss of the deceased, sharing their condolences and sympathies on their personal social media accounts. 

Al-Attar was not just a prominent journalist in the Arab World but a pioneer in environmental media and open-source investigations. His work left an indelible mark, illuminating ecological and climate issues and underscoring the challenges confronting the region and the world. 

Al-Attar’s journalistic style was not unique, but it was accessible to the public audience. He used simple language to demystify scientific texts, making them understandable to the average reader. His aim was not to provoke but to inform, making complex information accessible and understandable to a broad audience. His commitment to clear and straightforward communication was a testament to Al-Attar’s dedication to his readers. 

He worked for several years as the Editor-in-Chief of Al-Sabah magazine and as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Rose al-Youssef magazine before founding the Ozone platform, specialising in climate change issues in the Middle East region, after participating in the Guidance Center programme for emerging media initiatives. 

Al-Attar’s career was defined by his unwavering dedication to climate journalism. He began by covering climate talks at the Paris Climate Conference in 2015 and continued his involvement in COP27 and COP28. In 2023, when Egypt hosted COP27, Al-Attar took the initiative to train and assist Arab journalists in understanding climate talks, a pressing topic in the Arab world amidst escalating environmental crises. His focus on the political aspect of climate negotiations, his extensive network of relationships and the exclusive topics published on his website underscore his role as a mentor and leader in the field. 

Al-Attar also worked as a consultant at the International Centre for Journalists in Washington (ICFJ) and several international institutions, including the Emirati newspaper, Al-Ain, where he was known for his keenness in selecting guests, and asking precise and engaging questions that kept the reader interested until the end of the interview without boredom. 

He joined the International Journalists Network in October 2018. He wrote numerous articles on environmental and investigative journalism and ensured coverage of climate issues. He also conducted many training sessions on coverage of climate conferences, in collaboration with the International Journalists Network and the International Centre for Journalists forum. 

Ahmed Al-Attar was a talented journalist. His professional career was decorated with several prominent awards, including the ARIJ Journalism Award in 2012, the Siemens German Award in 2016, and the Egyptian Journalism Award in 2015 and, again, in 2020. ARIJ stands for Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism. Beyond journalism, Al-Attar immersed himself in investigative work in the environmental and climate fields, was proficient in data journalism, and had studied directing, making him a competent photographer. 

In short, Al-Attar was a valuable addition to the journalistic field in the MENA region. His departure leaves a significant void, but his legacy will remain alive in our memories. His works will always be a source of inspiration for future generations.