The past decade has witnessed widespread conflicts across the Arab region, damaging the region’s rich cultural landscape, while undermining human security and prospects for sustainable development.
On 12 September 2021, ESCWA, together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the League of Arab States (LAS), and the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) launched a regional report on the “Attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Conflict-Affected Countries in the Arab Region”.
Echoing the five pillars of the 2030 Agenda, the report calls for an integrated framework to advance the SDGs in country contexts faced with complex and often recurring challenges, covering member States in conflict, post-conflict and affected by conflict, namely Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Representing more than two years of intensive multi-stakeholder consultations with Government departments and policymakers, United Nations Resident Coordinators’ Offices and Agencies, civil-society organizations, academia and other relevant actors, the report embodies the principle of inclusivity and partnership.
In fact, the joint work between the Arab League and three UN entities demonstrates the importance of partnerships to achieve a peaceful and prosper region.
“The closer alignment between humanitarian, sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts must underpin the response to the overlapping crisis in our region,” said Tarik Alami, Leader of the Governance and Conflict Prevention Cluster at ESCWA.
The report offers evidence-based examples of lessons learned and successes in using the SDGs to catalyze the transition towards greater peace and prosperity, and further adds value by offering an exhaustive repository of existing frameworks to strengthen responses to gaps and opportunities.
“ESCWA reiterates its commitment to support the Arab States to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to foster regional cooperation,” Alami stressed.
Furthermore, the report highlights the transformative approach of human security to engender a comprehensive plan of action, which countries can translate into national policies that can bring tangible improvements to the lives of millions across the Arab Region.