Events

Call for Papers

Energy Research & Social Science study estimates Bitcoin’s 2021 carbon emissions will kill 19,000 people (2022)

February 2022,

A new study links the damage caused by proof-of-work blockchain to climate change and human mortality, showing that some types of blockchain result in significantly higher levels of carbon emissions resulting from verifying transactions. The study highlights how the commercialization of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) in digital art is increasing the levels of emissions causing climate change and causing future unnecessary human deaths. The study examines the recent policy interventions designed to motivate a shift in blockchain consensus protocols and promote miners’ energy efficiency to mitigate environmental damage.

The study conducted by Qatar University Centre for Law and Development researchers was published in the 88th volume of Energy Research & Social Science.

Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2022.102499

Blockchain

climate damage, and death: Policy interventions to reduce the carbon emissions, mortality, and net-zero implications of non-fungible tokens and Bitcoin.

Artificial Intelligence and the Rule of Law: A Focus on SDG 16

2021

This call for papers aims to examine the development of SDG 16 and its targets in the context of the AI revolution and emerging technologies from a legal perspective. The main goal is to figure out the best ways to implement this SDG in practice to accelerate the realization of the 2030 agenda where various targets were selected as case studies to that end. Hence, the focus should be on the connection between SDG 16 targets, law, and AI.

FinTech: A catalyst for Growth during Covid-19 e-seminar

May 6, 2020

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been a game-changer in terms of customer behavior for the foreseeable future. A world where social distancing becomes an essential part of the “new normal” cannot function seamlessly without financial innovation or Fintech. Home delivery and e-commerce platforms are set to grow at a faster pace, enabled by financial innovations. QFC is increasingly looking at digital payments, wallet solutions, and smooth remittance channels that cannot only allow for a cashless society but also cater to new demands for instant insurance, real-time investments, digital access, and KYC solutions.

Fintech is a catalyst for growth, especially in the GCC region. During this webinar, we will be interviewing experts in Fintech and exploring what opportunities lie ahead in Qatar.

Symposium on Regulating Fintech in Qatar and the Emergence of Regtech

February 4, 2020

Qatar University’s Center for Law and Development, in conjunction with the Qatar Financial Center (QFC) and DLA Piper Global Law Firm hosted a stakeholder symposium, which focused on the emerging regulatory framework supporting the growth of financial technology (Fintech) in Qatar.

The aim of the symposium was to provide a forum where the perspectives of stakeholders can be communicated and exchanged and to enhance the Qatari progress in regulating Fintech.

The symposium featured special panel sessions on Fintech regulatory developments in Qatar, Regulatory technology (Regtech) and insights from entrepreneurs, banks and regulators.

Dr. Andrew Dahdal – Center for Law and Development Section Head of Law and Policy- who leads the project, noted that, “[t]his event is an important opportunity for communication and overcoming silos in Qatar’s fintch sector. The ability to express the priorities of enterprise directly to regulators is vital to building an effective and resilient fintech ecosystem.”

PROGRAM

Panel on Global Cyber Security

October 23, 2019

The panel discussed the state of the market and topics included (1) the burgeoning global cyber legal framework, (2) the impact of cyber security and the blockade, and (3) cybersecurity best practices and practical considerations.

Speakers:

Scott Weber, Partner, DLA Piper
Ms. Dana Al-Abdulla of the Acting Compliance and Data Protection Department at the Ministry of Transport and Communications
Dr. Rafael Dean Brown, Assistant Professor, Qatar University’s College of Law
Dr. Sami Hamdan AL-Rawashdeh, Professor of Public Law, College of Law
Dr. Karim Al-Yafi, Assistant Professor of Information Systems, College of Business and Economics

Financial technology opportunities for Qatar

October 2, 2018

Financial technology such as blockchain holds considerable opportunity for economic diversification, one of the four pillars of Qatar’s National Vision. This rapidly evolving market is a level playing field for forward-thinking nations to compete to become a FinTech hub, drawing considerable benefits from hosting a start-up that goes global. For Qatar to be an attractive host for FinTech start-ups, its regulations and policies may need to be adapted as other jurisdictions have begun to do. This forum was held by the Centre for Law & Development at Qatar University, Qatar’s law and policy research center focusing on FinTech research and capacity-building. It brought together experts from industry and academia to share insights and discussed means by which Qatar can establish itself as a global hub for FinTech start-ups.

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International Study Program on Law and Legal Studies: A Transnational Perspective

September 23-27, 2018

The International Study Program on Law and Legal Studies was offered jointly by Qatar University College of Law and the University of Padua School of Law for both undergraduate and graduate students. It brought together leading international experts covering a variety of topics ranging from International Dispute Resolution to Religious Freedom.