On the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), ESCWA and Oman, Chair of the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD) this year, organized an event to launch the Arab Sustainable Development Report (ASDR 2024). The event, held on 15 July, engaged Arab missions and delegations to the HLPF, United Nations partners, and other stakeholders to delve into some of the report’s key findings.
The ASDR 2024 is produced by ESCWA in collaboration with 17 United Nations regional entities. It supports the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the regional and subregional levels. Building on the structural barriers identified in ASDR 2020 and its recommendations to dismantle them, ASDR 2024 analyzes the policy directions on priority areas to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Arab countries.
The report also identifies opportunities to achieve SDG progress as well as gaps where more, or different, efforts are needed, and highlights the potential for regional action to achieve the SDGs, while emphasizing the financial landscape and challenges. The report also addresses national policies to leave no one behind and secure the human rights and well-being of everyone in a prosperous and peaceful Arab region.
The Forum
The HLPF, held in New York from 8 to 17 July under the theme "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions", reviewed in depth SDGs 1, 2, 13, 16 and 17.
ESCWA also coordinated the submission of the Arab region’s key messages to the HLPF, emanating from AFSD. These were presented by Omani Minister of Economy Said Al Saqri.
Furthermore, the Regional Commission organized and took part in several other sessions and side events, in support of its member States, namely a VNR Lab under the title "Against all odds: Meaningful VNRs in fragile and conflict-affected situations" and an event on SDG Localization in Tunisia aimed at showcasing Tunisia’s experience and approaches towards SDG Localization.
In addition, ESCWA organized an event on "The Impact of War on Access to Healthcare and Education in Gaza", in collaboration with the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, SDSN, SDGs Today, and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
