United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)

1. Responding to the multiple crises, has the governing body of your organization taken any decisions or adopted any new strategies to enhance effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions and to reinforce the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and poverty eradication?

ESCWA’s governing bodies requested the Regional Commission to review its operational model and structure to ensure it remains fit for purpose, supporting member States in implementing the 2030 Agenda. As a result, ESCWA’s programme of work was projectized, allowing for a more agile and silo-free programme delivery, while the structure was re-aligned around six core areas of work, deemed by member States as key thematic areas within the Commission’s mandates and reflecting regional development priorities.

Furthermore, ESCWA’s governing bodies, including the 9 Committees, have continued to provide guidance on ESCWA’s strategic directions, including by requesting prioritization of the following substantive areas:

1. Support to VNRs, including by supporting production and analysis of SDG data and SDG reporting

ESCWA leads a consultative process to tailor discussions to the needs of member States in the context of the annual Arab Forum on Sustainable Development (AFSD), organized in partnership with the League of Arab States (LAS) and UN regional entities.
ESCWA also collaborates with UN regional entities in the context of the Arab Sustainable Development Report (ASDR 2024) to analyze policy trends for the 17 SDGs at the sub-regional level.
ESCWA supports member States in developing their voluntary national reviews (VNRs) through regional workshops, including dialogue and knowledge exchange on experiences and success stories.
ESCWA supports capacity building of Arab states to produce quality and timely national data through the Arab SDG Monitor, which provides countries with ready-made analytical visualizations (showing progress over time series and in tracking national targets) to enhance country reporting in VNRs.

2. Women’s economic empowerment and participation

3. Equitable access to employment opportunities

The ESCWA Skills Monitor uses Big Data and machine learning to analyse the regional labour market.

4. Climate action, including sustainable natural resources management and transitions to renewable energies and sustainable food systems

ESCWA hosts the Regional Initiative for the Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources and Socio-Economic Vulnerability in the Arab Region (RICCAR).
Mobilizing its Climate/SDGs-debt swap, ESCWA developed a debt-swap programme proposal estimated at $1 billion to finance climate action over the period 2022-2030.

5. Targeted and tailored support to the State of Palestine (under occupation setting) and Arab Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and more broadly strengthening of institutions, in particular in fragile and (post-)conflict settings and through strengthening risk analysis

6. Strengthening the availability of knowledge (on SDGs) and evidence for decision-making through knowledge repositories and technology-driven tools and platforms allowing for policy simulation

The ESCWA’s SDG Gateway combines the Arab SDG Monitor, the SDMX Converter for SDGs, the SDG Data Portal, and the SDG Data Collection Tool.
The MANARA Portal is an online knowledge management and data hub providing access to UN knowledge products, expertise, data, and tools for the Arab region.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index Assist Tool (MAT) enables state officials to construct a tailored national multidimensional poverty index (MPI).
The Arab National Development Planning Portal and Arab VNR Portal are interactive tools to enhance the process of development planning, supporting evidence-based policymaking processes.
The SDG Knowledge & Learning is an open access platform on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs, including knowledge materials, online learning and training, interactive visuals, and a broad range of capacity building tools and resources in Arabic and English.
The SDG Data: Capacity Development portal provides links to the series of regional webinars on SDGs organized through collaboration of 20 UN agencies to improve the production and dissemination of data on SDG indicators.
Through the Index Simulator for Policy Makers in the Arab Region (ISPAR), ESCWA assists member States in identifying effective procedures to strengthen socioeconomic development.
The Arab Trade Gateway (ATG) hosts a set of interactive tools in support of regional and global trade integration and effective trade policies. It consists of a one-stop shop for all the information needed to trade effectively in a changing regional and global economic landscape.
ESCWA produced 21 SDG country profiles.

7. Greater investment in deepening understanding of young people of development issues, with the aim to boosting their participation in and ownership of the 2030 Agenda

8. Innovative approaches to development financing

Aligned with the Addis Ababa Agenda for Action, ESCWA’s online INFF tool supports policy makers in pursuing a coherent approach to costing and financing the SDGs.

As a Regional Commission of which membership includes 21 member States of the LAS, ESCWA’s programme of work is also influenced by priorities set by the governing bodies of the LAS and its various subsidiary forums. A case in point is the work on sustainable food production/systems that is done in collaboration with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD/LAS) or the shared vision and direction for digital development in the region (the Arab Digital Agenda). The Arab Digital Agenda 2023-2033 represents a long-term frame of action with 35 strategic goals covering various aspects of digital development.

2. In the past year, has your organization organized any intergovernmentally mandated conferences, forums or events that contributed to the achievement of the SDGs, or in the process of planning and organizing any such mandated events to be held next year?

Event Name:	ESCWA Statistical Committee, 15th session
Event Dates:	16-17 November 2022
Event Location (City, Country):	Beirut, Lebanon
Relevant SDGs:	All SDGs
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	The Statistical Committee was established in accordance with resolution 179 (XVI) of 2 September 1992, which was adopted by Economic and Social Council resolution 1993/2 of 2 February 1993. The Committee follows up on member States’ progress in developing their statistical systems, and analyses international statistical systems, classifications and projects to adapt them to the specificities and priorities of member States. It also assists member States in standardizing national statistics for more comparability at the regional and international levels, and coordinates the exchange of statistical data and information between the Commission, member States, and the United Nations Statistics Division. The 15th session of the Statistical Committee discussed improved monitoring of progress in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; the evolving production and use of purchasing power parities; and geospatial information in support of statistics for the 2030 Agenda.

Event Name:	Arab Food Systems Stocktaking Moment 2023
Event Dates:	13 March 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Beirut, Lebanon
Relevant SDGs:	2
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	Arab regional meeting organized in preparation for the first global Food Systems Stocktaking Moment (STM) in 2023. The meeting was organized in cooperation with ESCWA, the United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO), the Regional Offices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other United Nations agencies, as well as key regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and the Arab Organization for Agriculture Development (AOAD). Participants reported and exchanged views on the progress made in implementing their countries’ food system transformations since the Food Systems Summit in 2021. They outlined priority actions towards accelerating those transformations in support of the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The meeting concluded with key messages that will serve as the collective regional input to the 2023 STM. Some of the priorities identified include enhancing rural transformation, promoting healthy diets for all, greening agriculture or improving regional cooperation.
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/events/arab-food-systems-stocktaking-moment-2023

Event Name:	Arab Forum on Sustainable Development 2023 (AFSD 2023)
Event Dates:	14-16 March 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	UN House, Beirut, Lebanon
Relevant SDGs:	6, 7, 9, 11, 17
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	The Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD) brings together Arab Governments and a broad range of stakeholders to address sustainable development priorities from a regional perspective, discuss progress, review national experiences, and enhance the region’s voice at the HLPF. It is organized annually by ESCWA, in collaboration with the League of Arab States and other UN entities operating in Arab countries. In line with the global theme and focus of the 2023 HLPF, AFSD-2023 discussed solutions and inspired action for accelerating the recovery from COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the Arab region. It focused on SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17. It also focused on other regional goals and priorities, particularly poverty, inequality and gender equality. AFSD-2023 was be chaired by Bahrain.
Website (if applicable)	https://afsd-2023.unescwa.org/

Event Name:	The Arab Climate Outlook Forum meetings – ArabCOF 10 and ArabCOF 11
Event Dates:	1-5 December 2022 and 5 June 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Virtual
Relevant SDGs:	13
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	Regional Climate Outlook Forums (RCOFs) are platforms that bring together climate experts, with users and stakeholders’ representatives from Arab countries to produce climate predictions for the target season based on input from Regional Climate Centers (RCCs), Global Producing Centers for Long Range Forecasts (GPC-LRF), National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), regional institutions, and climate prediction centers. During the 11th session of the Arab Climate Outlook Forum (ArabCOF), Arab country representatives presented current and anticipated conditions and their impact on climate over the Arab region; the NA-RCC Network RA-I: Seasonal Forecast over ARAB region; climate monitoring and assessment of the current state of climate; verification of previous ArabCOF climate outlooks; and the draft seasonal outlook for North Africa and GCC regions.
Website (if applicable)	11th session of the Arab Climate Outlook Forum (ArabCOF) \| RICCAR

Event Name:	ESCWA Committee on Social Development, 14th session
Event Dates:	8th June 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Beirut, Lebanon
Relevant SDGs:	1, 5, 8, 10, 11, 16
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	The Committee on Social Development was established pursuant to Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) resolution 198 (XVII) of 31 May 1994, which was endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1994/27 of 26 July 1994. The Committee aims to enhance regional cooperation on social development issues and increase the participation of member States in guiding the work of ESCWA in that field. The fourteenth session of the Committee on Social Development focused on the challenge of inequality in the Arab region and discussed initiatives by ESCWA to address it. The agenda of the session also included a review of the work of ESCWA in social development since the previous session. At the conclusion of its proceedings, the Committee made concrete recommendations on ways to advance social development in the Arab region.
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/events/committee-social-development-14th-session

Event Name:	Enhancing Transparency and Good Governance to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Event Dates:	12-14 June 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Cairo, Egypt
Relevant SDGs:	5, 8, 10, 16 and 17
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	The forum discussed how to establish cooperation mechanisms between governments and civil society to achieve the SDGs, which deal with reform of public administration and institutions, accountability, transparency, combating organized crime, access to information, and combating corruption. The forum sessions also touched on several discussions related to the development of effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels, ensuring that decisions are made in a responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative manner at all national levels; ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms and whistleblowers, in accordance with national legislation and international conventions; recovering stolen assets, combating all forms of organized crime, significantly reducing illicit financial flows; in addition to providing means and mechanisms to combat corruption in various sectors.
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/events/all-partners-fighting-corruption

Event Name:	ESCWA Committee on Water, 15th session
Event Dates:	19-21 June 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Beirut, Lebanon
Relevant SDGs:	5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	The Committee on Water Resources was established in accordance with resolution 205 (XVIII) of 25 May 1995, which was endorsed by Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/26 of 24 July 1995. It holds its sessions biannually to addresses the critical issue of water security in the Arab region, monitors progress in the water sector, and follows up on international and regional conferences in the field. The committee provided a platform for member states’ representatives to share their respective countries’ progress towards the achievement of SDG6, challenges facing the implementation of water related goals and opportunities for collaboration among countries through exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as explored the possibilities for potential synergies. The Committee concluded with recommendations to mobilize national efforts towards the achievement of water-related goals including through climate action to advance progress on SDG6 and within the framework of implementing the Water Action Decade (2018-2028).
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/events/committee-water-resources-15th-session

Event Name:	National reporting on international frameworks and commitments
Event Dates:	21-22 June 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Beirut, Lebanon
Relevant SDGs:	SDG 5
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	ESCWA in partnership with UN Women and the League of Arab States, organized a regional workshop targeting members of the Sub-committee on Gender Equality with the aim to strengthen the capacity of members of National Women Machineries (NWMs) in developing national reports on international frameworks and commitments, in particular the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action +30 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/events/regional-capacity-building-workshop-members-sub-committee-gender-and-sdgs

Event Name:	ESCWA Committee on Energy, 14th session
Event Dates:	20-22 June 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Beirut, Lebanon
Relevant SDGs:	5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	The Committee on Energy was established pursuant to ESCWA resolution 204 (XVIII) of 25 May 1995. It participates in the development of ESCWA priorities in the field of energy and follows up on related activities. The 14th session provided a platform for member States to discuss the role of minerals and raw materials in support of the energy transition in the Arab region and the use of blockchain technology. The Committee addressed potential hydrogen developments in the region. The Committee issued recommendations on the ESCWA programme in the field of energy and on SDG 7. The committee held a joint meeting with the Water Resources Committee of ESCWA on “Advancing climate change issues in the water and energy sectors”, where it stressed on the need to enhance the resilience of ESCWA member states to climate change within the framework of the ESCWA Arab Centre for Climate Change Policies.
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/events/committee-energy-14th-session

Event Name:	16th Regional Workshop on Capacity Development for Climate Change Negotiations for the Arab Countries
Event Dates:	16-18 July 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Kuwait
Relevant SDGs:	13
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	ESCWA organized the 16th regional workshop on capacity development for climate change negotiations for Arab countries in partnership with the League of Arab States, UNEP/ROWA, UNESCO/Cairo to support the Arab Group of Negotiators on negotiations issues in preparation for COP28 to be held in the United Arab Emirates. This workshop was particularly important as it covered outcomes of the 58th sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (Bonn Climate Change Conference, 5-15 June 2023). The workshop also aimed to support the Arab Group of Negotiators in discussing and implementing outcome decisions of COP27 and to initiate conversation ahead of the COP28.
Website (if applicable)	16th regional workshop on capacity development for climate change negotiations for Arab countries \| RICCAR

Event Name:	Arab Regional Conference on Population and Development: Challenges and Prospects Ten Years After the 2013 Cairo Declaration
Event Dates:	13-14 September 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Beirut, Lebanon + online (hybrid)
Relevant SDGs:	1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	ESCWA, the UNFPA-Arab States Regional Office, and the LAS, in partnership with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), organized a Conference to review the progress made 30 years after the adoption of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and 10 years after the 2013 Cairo Declaration, to identify challenges and gaps and propose solutions. Participants discussed priorities for the region, including dignity and equality, women and gender equality; Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR); the situation of vulnerable groups in humanitarian contexts; and, the means to accelerate the implementation of Cairo Declaration 2013. The conference concluded with an outcome document. Key messages will feed into the report of the United Nations Secretary-General on “programs and interventions assessing the status of implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development which will be presented to the Commission on Population and Development in 2024”.
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/events/challenges-prospects-2013-cairo-declaration

Event Name:	5th Arab Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Event Dates:	1-2 October 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Cairo, Egypt
Relevant SDGs:	7
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	The League of Arab States, in partnership with ESCWA and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), organized the 5th Arab Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. The high-level international forum, held on the sidelines of the special session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity of the League of Arab States, addressed the role of innovation in developing the energy sector and promoting sustainable energy in the Arab region. It also shed light on the latest developments of the Pan-Arab Electricity Market. ESCWA participated in the high-level political dialogue on energy transition and discussed the role of blockchain in the Arab region. Participants included ministers of energy and electricity, government officials, heads of national and regional organizations, and international experts.
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/events/5th-arab-forum-renewable-energy-and-energy-efficiency

Event Name:	ESCWA Committee on Women, 11th Session
Event Dates:	10-11 October 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	Hybrid: online and in Beirut, Lebanon
Relevant SDGs:	SDG 5, SDG 16
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	The Committee on Women is mandated by ESCWA resolution 240 (XXII) of 17 April 2003, which was endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council in its resolution 2003/9 of 18 July 2004. Its role is to monitor and support Arab states on matters pertaining to the status of women. The committee further formulates integrated policy recommendations for women’s empowerment.
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/events/committee-women-11th-session

Event Name:	The Intergovernmental Committee’s Meeting on Financing Sustainable Development (planned for 2024). Regional Conference on Integrated National Financing Frameworks (planned for 2024).
Event Dates:	February-April 2024 (TBC)
Event Location (City, Country):	TBD in light of risk factors in the Arab region
Relevant SDGs:	All SDGs
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	The Secretary-General recognized “ESCWA Intergovernmental Committee on Financing as the only regional intergovernmental setting that provides a venue for Arab constituents to address financing for development issues in an integrated and holistic manner”. The committee aims to overcome financing inequalities, fiscal space constraints and funding shortfalls. It is entrusted with the mandate to assess the impact of financing developments, address SDG financing divide, and build consensus focusing on domestic resource mobilization, including enhancing effective taxation and budget credibility, incentivizing private finance, and ensuring debt sustainability. Additionally, the committee fosters regional collaboration, best practices, and strengthens capacities to exploit the full range of financing sources, including public, private, domestic, international, and innovative to support SDG implementation. The committee, tasked with updating Arab Common positions, ensures alignment of national financial plans with the 2030 Agenda, particularly ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing Development (2025).
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/about/committees/financing-development https://www.unescwa.org/focus/financing

Event Name:	Accessible Arab Region 2022
Event Dates:	13 December 2023
Event Location (City, Country):	online
Relevant SDGs:	SDG 9, 10 and 17
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	Organized in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the second edition of the conference aims to raise awareness, share good practices and challenges, leverage capacity and encourage regional engagement in prioritizing digital accessibility to build inclusive digital societies and environments in the Arab region. Accessible Arab Region: ICT for all serves as a knowledge-development platform for open informative and interactive discussions with all interested stakeholders on the importance of mainstreaming ICT/digital accessibility principles. The event focuses on work and initiatives that promote policy implementation, strategies, and resources to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the framework of the SDGs, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy and other related global commitments.
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/events/accessible-arab-region-ict-all-2022

Event Name:	The Second Regional Review of the Global Compact on safe, orderly and regular migration (GCM)
Event Dates:	April-May 2024 (TBC)
Event Location (City, Country):	Beirut, Lebanon
Relevant SDGs:	The most direct reference is related to Goal 10 to reduce inequality within and among countries and more specifically, Target 10.7 to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	To ensure the monitoring of progress to achieve the GCM objectives, A/RES/73/195, and building on the momentum from the First GCM Regional Review Process, ESCWA, IOM in collaboration with the members of the region network on migration have started to implement the second regional review of the GCM. The review will offer an opportunity for Member States and other stakeholders in the Arab region to reflect on intra-regional and cross regional priorities, emerging issues, and gaps in the implementation of the GCM; identify regional progress and challenges in implementing the recommended actions set out in the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) Progress Declaration; highlight promising practices; and explore opportunities for strengthening regional and cross-regional cooperation on migration. The process will culminate in a regional conference and the production of a Regional Review Outcome Document that will feed into the next Secretary-General’s report as well as informing preparations for the 2026 IMRF.
Website (if applicable)	Not yet available

Event Name:	The 2nd edition of the Arab International Digital Cooperation and Development Forum (DCDF)
Event Dates:	Planned for Q3 2023, postponed for Q1 2024
Event Location (City, Country):	To be determined
Relevant SDGs:	1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17
Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)	DCDF-2024 will comprise over 25 sessions encompassing several tracks, high-level segments, diverse thematic sessions, and side events. It will also bring together relevant stakeholders representing public and private sectors, the technical community, academia, civil society, and youth and international organizations. DCDF-2024 will provide an inclusive platform for all stakeholders to discuss priority issues in the Arab region relating to digital development and digital cooperation. Discussions will cover the Digital Future at the global and regional levels for the next decade and beyond. DCDF-2024 aims also to enhance digital development and cooperation among Arab countries, and to inform regional and global forums on related issues, including the Arab Forum on Sustainable Development and the global HLPF. It is expected that this event will result in an outcome document on advancing digital cooperation and development in the Arab region, serving as a unique and streamlined multipartite regional collaboration platform.
Website (if applicable)	https://dcdf-2024.unescwa.org/

3. In the past year, has your organization published or planned to publish any analytical work or guidance note or toolkits to guide and support the implementation of SDGs at national, regional and global levels? Please select up to three to highlight, especially those that address interlinkages among the SDGs.

Resource Name	Integrated Evidence-Based National Financing Toolkits
Relevant SDGs	All SDGs
Publishing entities	UNESCWA, UNDESA and UNDP
Target audience	National administrations Resident Coordinator Offices in the Arab region Regional Collaborative Platform for Arab States UNSDG Finance Core Group
Description (max 150 words)	ESCWA developed a suite of interactive INFF toolkits to estimate the costs associated with the pursuit of national sustainable development ambitions. The toolkits empower policymakers to simulate SDG financing trajectories, identify untapped sources to bridge SDG-financing gaps and include features to monitor SDG-progress and estimate their potential landing zones beyond 2030. The machine learning powered budget intelligence tool (iBIT) uncovers the various pathways to improve public financial management, and enhance budget credibility and execution. This allows policymakers to evaluate general government spending, prioritize and sequence financing decisions and harness the gains resulting from optimizing SDG synergies to expand fiscal space and support the transition to SDG-centric budgeting. The INFF toolkits were endorsed and integrated in the global INFF guidance. They have been featured in the 2023 Financing Sustainable Development report, the INFF Knowledge Platform, the UNSDG Resources Knowledge Hub and the Inter-Agency Exchange on SDG Transformation Pathways Costing.
Language(s)	English
Website (if applicable)	https://ffd.unescwa.org

Resource Name	The middle class in Arab countries
Relevant SDGs	1, 8, 11
Publishing entities	ESCWA
Target audience	Policymakers in the Arab region and countries, and other stakeholders
Description (max 150 words)	This flagship report is based on a series of eight working papers. The papers cover a broad range of methodological and policy concerns pertaining to the middle class in the Arab region. The findings of the working papers are mostly based on microdata collected from household surveys conducted in six Arab countries, namely Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the State of Palestine, and Tunisia. Topics covered in the eight working papers include the definition, measurement, size and characteristics of the middle class in the region. The papers scrutinize the impact of conflict on the livelihood of the middle class, the challenges to its growth, and the risks that could result in the middle class falling into vulnerability and poverty. The report also addresses informal employment among middle class adults and their access to social protection schemes. Lastly, the papers’ findings measure the effectiveness of fiscal policy choices, including taxation, in reducing poverty and vulnerability.
Language(s)	English
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/publications/middle-class-arab-countries

Resource Name	Inequality in the Arab Region: Food Insecurity Fuels Inequality
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16
Publishing entity/entities	ESCWA, WFP, Pathfinders
Target audience	Policymakers in the Arab region
Description (max 150 words)	The Arab region is the most unequal in the world. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, high interest rates, growing debt burdens, and the repercussions of the war in Ukraine are contributing to widening inequality. Inequalities in income and wealth are mirrored by inequalities in access to food. Around 181 million people across the region, close to 35% of the Arab population, are food insecure; 12 million more than one year ago. This report analyses the pillars of food security: access, availability, utilization, and stability. It provides recommendations for addressing inequality in food security through strengthening agricultural systems, production and trade, and also for mitigating climate change while adapting to its growing effects and improving disaster risk management. The report calls for immediate humanitarian assistance when shocks do occur, without political implications. Regional solidarity is called for in redistributing resources, coupled with increased investments in health, education and social protection.
Language(s)	Arabic and English
Website (if applicable)	https://www.unescwa.org/publications/inequality-arab-region-food-insecurity-fuels-inequality

Resource Name	Poverty Assist Tools (MAT) and Moneymetric Poverty Assist Tools (MPAT)
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	SDG 1, targets 1.1 , 1.2
Publishing entity/entities	ESCWA
Target audience	Line ministry statistical staff, national statistical offices, other decision-makers
Description (max 150 words)	Multidimensional Poverty Assist Tool (MAT) and Moneymetric Poverty Assist Tool (MPAT) are user-friendly assisting tools calculating multidimensional and money-metric poverty statistics using input data that are normally found in economic surveys, such as household income and expenditure surveys. The data are compiled by ESCWA from various sources and aggregated at the country level. The tools enable national policymakers to analyze the profile of poverty and deprivation across multiple dimensions of wellbeing. The tools allow projections to alternative development scenarios, and optimization of poverty reduction efforts to reach policymaker-tailored objectives.
Language(s)	English, Arabic
Website (if applicable)	https://mpi.unescwa.org/ https://moneymetrics.unescwa.org/

4. In connection with the 2023 SDG Summit, the United Nations development system announced 12 High-Impact Initiatives where transformative progress is possible despite challenging global circumstances. Please share if your organization is contributing to any of these High Impact Initiatives and how various actors are being rallied behind them to mobilize further leadership and investment to bring progress to scale.

Digital Public Infrastructure (Scaling inclusive and open digital ecosystems for the SDGs)

New high resolution climate projections. The Regional Initiative for the Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources and Socio-Economic Vulnerability in the Arab Region (RICCAR) and its Regional Knowledge Hub (RKH), which are maintained and hosted by ESCWA in partnership with the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the FAO, is an electronic platform that provides open access to climate projections across the Arab region. Building on climate projections undertaken for the entire Arab region at a 50X50km resolution, recent projection with higher resolution have just been released for the Mashreq region under the SSP2-4.5 scenario. https://riccar.org/index.php/

In addition, in the context of the Arab Digital Agenda (ADA), the first call for initiatives resulted in the collection of information about many projects, which will be included in the project repository of the collaboration and partnership framework (CPF) of the ADA. These projects cover a large spectrum of goals and contribute to the following High-Impact Initiatives: Digital Public Infrastructure; FutureGov; Power of Data; Transforming4Trade; and, Transforming Education.

Energy Compacts (Scaling up ambition to deliver on SDG7):

ESCWA supports the Gender and Energy Compact1. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy (ENERGIA) and Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET), supported by the Governments of Canada, Ecuador, Iceland, Kenya, Nepal, and Sweden, have formed a coalition to develop a Gender and Energy Compact to catalyze action towards gender equality and women’s empowerment to accelerate a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transition.

The coalition brings together governments, private sector, academia, civil society, youth, and international organizations—all under the same overall objective: To promote a just and inclusive, and gender responsive energy transition.

The undersigning parties commit to supporting and accelerating action for two main goals: first, that women have equal opportunity to lead, participate in and benefit from a just, sustainable, and inclusive energy transition; second, that women have equal access to and control over sustainable energy products and services.

The coalition aims to achieve these through the following five outcomes:

Energy and time poverty, as well as drudgery of women are eliminated by increasing women’s access to and control over sustainable energy products and services.

Countries and regions (re)formulate and adopt more inclusive and gender-responsive energy access and transition pathways, strategies, and policies.

Women-owned and -led businesses have increased access to productive resources, such as finance, sustainable energy, entrepreneurial capacity, and business development services.

Career advancement avenues for women working in the energy sector are created: women enjoy decent and productive employment; workplace policies and practices support recruitment and retainment of women, as well as women are equally involved in policy- and decision-making fora and discussions.

Knowledge, mechanisms, tools, and sex-disaggregated data are more available and of higher-quality. This supports gender-responsive Monitoring and Evaluation processes and policy formulation, as well as gender mainstreaming of private and public sector initiatives, projects, programmes and policies.

Food Systems Transformation (Transforming food systems for a sustainable world without hunger):

Following-up on the call from the Food Systems Hub, ESCWA endorsed the role of focal point and coordinator in the food systems transformation process in the Arab region. As a result, the Regional Commission organized during the past months multiple food system transformation dialogues, including the Regional Preparatory Meeting for the global Food Systems Stocktaking Moment. ESCWA also provided support to the government of Lebanon in the organization of national consultations and developing pathway documents. In addition, ESCWA in cooperation with the Food Systems Hub, organized a special food systems event during the 2023 Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD 2023). Furthermore, ESCWA organized in cooperation with regional entities an event on Food Systems transformation Amidst a Polycrisis, with the participation of the government of Yemen and the parliament of Lebanon, during the Food Systems Stocktaking moment +2 in July 2023 in Rome, Italy. In parallel, ESCWA contributes to deepening knowledge related to the regional food systems transformation, including publishing a report on Tracking Food Security in the Arab Region, and the ongoing work on Regional Assessment of Food Systems, Unlocking the Potential of Rainfed Systems, and Governance of Food Systems.

FutureGov (Building public sector capabilities for the future):

Regarding the strengthening of public institutions and public sector capabilities, ESCWA is working with governments to reform and modernize the capabilities of the public sector in the Arab region for more effective public service delivery, and to explore solutions to modernize and enhance the effectiveness of the public administration in achieving the 2030 Agenda. This work is of utmost importance since the region, despite its diversity, is faced with multifaceted development challenges and crises, at the crux of which is public governance. Enhancing awareness of the important role played by the public sector in achieving the 2030 Agenda, and in increasing the quality and effectiveness of public institutions as a key determinant of development outcomes. Reforming and modernizing public administration are thus essential for achieving inclusive sustainable development. This regional intergovernmental work aims at the development of pathways for public sector modernization and reform within the Arab region. It also intends to establish an ESCWA-led regional forum and community of practice, as a peer-learning platform which aims to provide an opportunity for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and national initiatives to enhance the quality of the public sector and institutions.

Power of Data (Unlocking the data dividend for the SDGs):

ESCWA collaborates closely with Arab Ara National Statistical Offices (NSO) to modernize their data dissemination, validation, and exchange mechanisms for high-quality data. This initiative also encompasses knowledge sharing and capacity building, particularly focused on SDGs data.

The elevation of data quality is facilitated through a series of webinars addressing SDG indicators with low coverage in the Arab region. ESCWA also conducts webinars highlighting best practices from the region across various indicators. To further support this, ESCWA has developed the SDG Indicator Tool, as a dynamic portal providing standardized metadata and questionnaires for each SDG indicator.

Efforts to enhance data dissemination and validation involve regional and customized workshops on the use of SDMX for SDG data reporting. These workshops aim to equip Arab NSOs with the skills to leverage modern technology for SDG data sharing and dissemination.

The exchanged data with ESCWA are channeled into National Reporting Platforms (NRPs), which are dashboards created to monitor the progress of each Arab country towards the 2030 Agenda. This integrated approach underscores ESCWA’s commitment to advancing statistical systems and ensuring effective tracking of SDG-related advancements across the Arab region.

5. In addition to the above, has your organization been part of any other initiatives or multi-stakeholder partnerships that enhance effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions and reinforce the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially in the areas of SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2 (zero hunger), SDG13 (climate action), SDG16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), SDG17 (partnerships for the goals), which will go under in-depth review at the HLPF in 2024, or related to the Secretary-General’s proposals in Our Common Agenda?

Initiative/Partnership Name	Arab Risk Monitor
Partners (please list all partners)	LAS, UN Human Security Trust Fund
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	16, 17
Member States benefiting from it	Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen
Description (max 150 words)	Through the development of the Arab Risk Monitor database and framework, ESCWA makes use of the power of data to unlock data and information dividend for the achievement of SDGs 16 and 17. This quantitative tool combines international recognized data, including a number of SDG indicators, with a literature-based framework to unpack the main drivers of conflict and violence in the Arab region for data informed policy-making to reduce multi-crisis risk. Moreover, this tool uses several methodologies and visualizations to compare the trends and the levels of risk induced by the different drivers to inform policymakers and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement risk-informed policies and programs.
Website	https://www.unescwa.org/publications/arab-risk-monitor-drivers-conflict

Initiative/Partnership Name	Regional Initiative for the Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources and Socio-Economic Vulnerability in the Arab Region (RICCAR)
Partners (please list all partners)	RICCAR is implemented through an inter-agency collaborative partnership involving 11 partner organizations, namely ESCWA, the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the League of Arab States Secretariat, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Cairo Office, UN Environment, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In addition to the resources provided by the partner agencies, funding is provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), which financially support RICCAR through the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Water Sector in the MENA Region (ACCWaM) project.
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	13
Member States benefiting from it	Arab region
Description (max 150 words)	Regional Initiative for the Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources and Socio-Economic Vulnerability in the Arab Region (RICCAR) is the outcome of the first Arab Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change (2007). The Initiative aims to assess the impacts of climate change on freshwater resources in the Arab region and to examine the implications of these impacts for socioeconomic and environmental vulnerability based on regional specificities. It does so through the application of scientific methods and consultative processes that are firmly grounded in enhancing access to knowledge, building capacity and strengthening institutions for climate change assessment in the Arab region. In so doing, RICCAR provides a common platform for assessing, addressing and identifying regional climate change challenges, which, in turn, inform dialogue, priority setting, policy formulation and responses to climate change at the Arab regional level.
Website	https://www.riccar.org/riccar

Initiative/Partnership Name	Regional Initiative to Promote Small–Scale Renewable Energy Applications in Rural Areas of the Arab Region (REGEND)
Partners (please list all partners)	REGEND is a Sida-funded project. Implementing partners include the League of Arab States, line ministries, local authorities, various regional organizations and Arab women associations, United Nations organizations, local and regional non-governmental organizations, research institutions and academia.
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13
Member States benefiting from it	Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon
Description (max 150 words)	Rural communities continue to depend on traditional energy resources that are inadequate in expanding agricultural value chains, extending basic services, and improving the quality of life of women, children and vulnerable groups. Arab Governments are more focused on the development of large-scale renewable energy power generation systems, leading to a weak enabling environment and financial support for the private sector to invest in small-scale renewable energy technologies, thus hindering the development of and investment in such projects. REGEND aims to improve the livelihood, economic benefits, social inclusion and gender equality of Arab rural communities, particularly marginalized groups, by addressing energy poverty, water scarcity, vulnerability to climate change, and other natural resources challenges. Appropriate small-scale renewable energy technologies are used to conduct productive activities, support entrepreneurial development, and ensure women’s empowerment, with an emphasis on creating jobs and developing robust value chains to promote a sustainable economy.
Website	https://www.unescwa.org/regend

Initiative/Partnership Name	Arab Initiative for Mobilizing Climate Finance for Water (AIM Climate Finance for Water)
Partners (please list all partners)	Partners: • League of Arab States – Technical Secretariat of the Arab Ministerial Water Council (AMWC) and Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE) • Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) • Green Climate Fund (GCF) • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) • Government of Sweden • United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Collaborating institutions: • Arab Centre for the Study of Arid and Drylands (ACSAD) of the League of Arab States • Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFSED)
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	6, 13
Member States benefiting from it	Arab region
Description (max 150 words)	The initiative builds regional capacity to mobilize finance for water action under a changing climate. This objective supports regional and global commitments to increase adaptation finance. This is particularly relevant for the water-scarce Arab region where only one-third of international public climate finance flows are directed towards adaptation. The initiative supports the Arab Strategy for Water Security in the Arab Region to Meet the Challenges and Future Needs for Sustainable Development 2010-2030 and its action plan, as adopted by the Arab Ministerial Water Council. Climate finance can help to foster integrated water resources management and transboundary water cooperation and support efforts to scale up climate-smart practices across water-related sectors. Interventions include climate-smart irrigation techniques, investments in non-conventional water resources, water efficiency and conservation improvements, and efforts to establish effective future-proof systems for rainwater harvesting and water reuse that advance adaptation and support mitigation co-benefits.
Website	https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/arab-initiative-mobilizing-climate-finance-water-aim-climate-finance-water

Initiative/Partnership Name	Role of LPG in Enabling a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition in MENA and Africa regions
Partners (please list all partners)	Ministry of Energy Saudi Arabi, KAPSARC
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 13
Member States benefiting from it	Arab and African LDCs
Description (max 150 words)	ESCWA received a request from the Ministry of Energy of Saudi Arabia to prepare a study, in partnership with KAPSARC, on the role of liquefied petroleum gas as a clean fuel source for cooking, particularly in rural areas and as a transition fuel to electric cookstoves. This falls within ESCWA’s continuing work on circular carbon economy with Saudi Arabia.
Website	NA

Initiative/Partnership Name	Arab Forum for Equality
Partners (please list all partners)	ESCWA, Pathfinders, FAO, WFP, Oxfam, Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD)
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 16
Member States benefiting from it	All ESCWA Member States and Arab countries:
Description (max 150 words)	The Arab Forum for Equality (AFE) brings together political leaders, ministers, the private sector, experts, CSOs, and youth from the Arab region to address regional priorities to tackle inequality, review national and international experiences, and engage stakeholders in a dialogue focused on practical solutions and policies to reduce inequality. The Forum is held annually by the ESCWA and other partners, as well as hosts multiple national and regional organizations. The second Arab Forum for Equality (AFE-2023) continues discussions that began at the first Forum (Amman, 30–31 May 2022) among various decision makers to propose practical solutions for tackling inequality and youth unemployment. This Forum will address the issues of equality and food security raised in a regional report prepared by ESCWA and its partners, and will recap the progress made towards achieving the “Josour initiative”, which aims to address youth unemployment in the Arab region.
Website	https://afe-2023.unescwa.org/

Initiative/Partnership Name	Quality of Life Initiative
Partners (please list all partners)	ESCWA, Quality of Life Program (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), UN-Habitat
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Member States benefiting from it	Cities from different regions of the World including the Arab region
Description (max 150 words)	The Quality of Life Initiative supports local authorities and decision makers to understand how their current investment and policy priorities improve the wellbeing and quality of life of the individuals and communities they serve and how to make tangible, long term improvements in the lives of urban populations. The Initiative aims to develop a comprehensive, human-centric concept of quality of life including objective and subjective factors and to promote it as a primary urban development objective. This is a three years project that includes the development of a performance monitoring tool or Index incorporating innovative data gathering techniques for authorities in cities and towns worldwide to measure their progress and the gaps in improving the quality of life.
Website	https://www.unescwa.org/sites/default/files/event/materials/CN_QoL%20Side%20Event_HLPF23_14%20July.pdf

Initiative/Partnership Name	Fostering COVID-19 recovery and SDGs implementation through local action in Asia-Pacific, Arab and African countries
Partners (please list all partners)	ESCWA, UN-Habitat, UNDESA, UCLG, ESCAP, ECA
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Member States benefiting from it	Cities from different regions of the World including the Arab region
Description (max 150 words)	The project aims to advance the inclusive localization of the Sustainable Development Goals in selected African, Asia-Pacific, and the Arab countries in transition by harnessing the potential of Voluntary Local Reviews. The project goals include: Strengthen capacities of Local and Regional Governments to develop Voluntary Local Reviews by connecting them to global and regional advocacy, learning and capacity building activities and resources. Enhanced multilevel coordination between cities, national governments, regional and international process on SDG implementation.
Website	https://sdglocalization.org/what-we-do/projects/2030-agenda-sub-fund

Initiative/Partnership Name	COP 27
Partners (please list all partners)	ESCWA, UN-Habitat, all UN RCs
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Member States benefiting from it	Cities from different regions of the World including the Arab region
Description (max 150 words)	The projects on the “Inter-regional cooperation for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda” and on “Building Urban Economic Resilience during and after COVID-19” incorporate urban policies, vertically integrated urban governance mechanisms, urban and territorial planning and design, and effective municipal financing frameworks, as articulated in the New Urban Agenda. Support has been aimed at strengthening capacities for urban planning and promoting urban recovery, climate resilience and smart sustainable urban development. This session within COP27 allowed participating member States and/or cities to provide testimonies of their experiences and share tools, methodologies and experiences available for scaling up of project’s results beyond the pilot partner countries and cities.  The projects are plugged-in to a number of multistakeholder initiatives and collaboration, including the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (ITU, UNECE, UN-Habitat); and other global and regional networks which allow dissemination of the UN’s best practices gained at the city level.
Website	https://www.unescwa.org/events/escwa-cop27

Initiative/Partnership Name	UN-Habitat Assembly themed “A sustainable urban future through inclusive and effective multilateralism: achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in times of global crises”
Partners (please list all partners)	ESCWA, UN-Habitat, all UN RCs
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Member States benefiting from it	Cities from different regions of the World including the Arab region
Description (max 150 words)	Event:  Regional Action supporting SDG Localization and Urban Resilience - 8 June 2023 This ONE UN side event focused on regional efforts to accelerate progress against the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting how region-specific normative guidance and partnerships can accelerate actions, enhance data collection and support cities to undertake Voluntary Local Reviews. ESCWA highlighted the efforts of the city of Agadir in developing the 1st VLR in North Africa and 3rd in the Arab region through the participation of the head of the urban agency in Agadir. The VLR of the City of Agadir will be launched in the coming few months at the national level This session within COP27 allowed participating member States and/or cities to provide testimonies of their experiences and share tools, methodologies, and experiences available for scaling up of project’s results beyond the pilot partner countries and cities.
Website	https://www.unescwa.org/events/escwa-cop27

Initiative/Partnership Name	Climate/SDGs Debt Swap – Donor Nexus Initiative
Partners (please list all partners)	Open Society Foundations, ESCWA member states
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	1, 8, 13, 17
Member States benefiting from it	Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt
Description (max 150 words)	ESCWA developed the Initiative to address the challenges of reducing debt service burdens, improving climate finance and accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Initiative helps Governments to design Climate/SDGs Debt Swap programmes aligned with national priorities. The programme uses a key performance indicators framework for monitoring and evaluation to assess impacts at the project level and policy reforms with transformational impact on climate and the SDGs. The Initiative has been supported by the Open Society Foundations since 2023. The Initiative complements several calls for action to the international community that proposed climate/SDG debt swaps, namely The United Nations Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond Initiative, The SDG Stimulus to Deliver Agenda 2030, The Sustainable Debt Coalition led by Egypt, and The June 2023 Paris Summit.
Website	Climate/SDGs Debt Swap – Donor Nexus Initiative Webpage Frequently asked questions: Climate/SDGs Debt Swap – Donor Nexus Initiative (Hyperlink)

Initiative/Partnership Name	Evidence-Based Integrated Intelligence Tools (SDG Costing, Synergies, Financing Simulators and Budgeting).
Partners (please list all partners)	ESCWA member States, UNDP, RCOs.
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	All SDGs
Member States benefiting from it	Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Mauritania and Tunisia.
Description (max 150 words)	ESCWA developed an integrated system of dynamic and artificial intelligence powered financing tools. The tools, endorsed among ESCWA signatures branding, allows policymakers to access in real time a series of evidence-based assessment to address financing needs, shortfalls and shocks. The tools rely on cutting-edge quantitative assessments and are pre-disposed to enhance the mobilization of domestic public resources, incentive private investments and enhance the mobilization of domestic public resources offering an array of solutions to ensure that Arab economies are placed on a sustainable financing trajectory to meet national sustainable development ambitions. ESCWA financing tools have been integrated in the global INFF guidance, and are featured in the 2023 FSDR, and the UNSDG Resource Knowledge-Hub, and earned recognition from the UNSG in his 2022 report to the ECOSOC. ESCWA financing tools proved pivotal in developing 'deep dive' country reports to catalyze transition pathways at the 2023 SDG Summit.
Website

Initiative/Partnership Name	Integrated Budget Intelligence Toolkit (iBiT)
Partners (please list all partners)	ESCWA member States
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	All SDGs
Member States benefiting from it	ESCWA member States, UNDP, and RC’s.
Description (max 150 words)	ESCWA developed the first integrated artificial intelligence powered Budgeting Toolkit (iBiT) to support the transition to SDG budgeting, enhance public financial management, and amplify SDG impacts and public spending efficiency via improved budget planning and execution. Through the i-BiT, policymakers can quantify the impacts of the different general government expenditures on SDG performance, and assess the impacts of public spending and their potential to advance the SDGs at the national level accounting for country-specific idiosyncrasies, including the conditions dictating economic rationalization, fiscal consolidation, and how SDG interlinkages manifest themselves in national contexts. The i-BiT provides valuable insights on several pressing questions facing budget planning, execution, and the attainment of national sustainable development objectives.
Website	ESCWA, Financing for Development (hyperlink).

Initiative/Partnership Name	The First Integrated National SDG-Financing Strategy for Egypt
Partners (please list all partners)	Egypt (Ministries of Planning ,Economic Development, Finance, International Cooperation, Central Bank of Egypt, and the National Institute for Planning).
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	All SDGs + SDG Transitional Pathways and Integrated Nation al Financing Framework.
Member States benefiting from it	Egypt (Ministries of Planning, Economic Development, Finance and International Cooperation).
Description (max 150 words)	Following the announcement of Egypt’s sustainable financing ambitions, the Government entrusted ESCWA to forge the first national evidence-based Integrated National Financing Strategy. The Strategy benefited from 30 analytical assessments and AI-powered tools to address financing inequalities, fiscal space constraints and funding shortfalls. National stakeholders employed ESCWA dynamic toolkits to improve the distributive impacts of the budget, enhance public expenditure efficiency, optimize investment planning for maximal SDG impact and better target structural reforms.
Website	ESCWA, Financing for Development (hyperlink).

Initiative/Partnership Name	Second Arab Multidimensional Poverty Report as input to the Arab Strategic Framework For Eradication of Poverty
Partners (please list all partners)	LAS, UNDP, UNICEF
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	Virtually all SDGs as this is a multidimensional poverty approach so it cuts across most goals
Member States benefiting from it	Arab States
Description (max 150 words)	The Second Arab Multidimensional Poverty Report is a result of three years of policy debate, research and regional consultations in cooperation between the League of Arab States, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). The Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs approved this report pursuant to its Resolution No. 969 (regular session 42) (26/1/2023).
Website	https://www.unescwa.org/sites/default/files/pubs/pdf/second-arab-multidimensional-poverty-report-english.pdf

Initiative/Partnership Name	The Arab IGF
Partners (please list all partners)	Arab Governments represented by League of Arab States (LAS), technical community (ICANN, ISOC)
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	9, 10
Member States benefiting from it	Arab member states
Description (max 150 words)	The Arab Internet Governance Forum (Arab IGF) is one of the regional IGF initiatives. It was established in 2012 under the umbrella of the League of Arab States and ESCWA, as a result of multi-stakeholder endorsement during the “Conference and Public Consultations to Establish the Arab Internet Governance Forum” (2012). The Arab IGF provides a platform for discussing issues and policies related to Internet governance in the Arab region. Arab IGF aimed to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders (governments, private, technical community, academic and civil society) on the future of Internet Governance and digital cooperation. Part of NRIs, the Arab IGF was an ideal venue for conducting a consultation process for the Global Digital Compact (GDC). By engaging with stakeholders in their local context, regional IGFs including the Arab IGF provide a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to consultation and ensure that diverse perspectives are considered.
Website	https://www.unescwa.org/arabigf

Initiative/Partnership Name	Dialogue with the Libyan Government and Libyan stakeholders
Partners (please list all partners)	Government of Libya
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	SDG 16
Member States benefiting from it	Libya
Description (max 150 words)	The event organized includes several topics related to peace and security in the Member State. The risk monitor tool from the for the Arab region and for Libya was presented and well-received by the audience. The participants engaged in discussion regarding the use of the tool for policy making at different geographical levels.
Website

Initiative/Partnership Name	Dialogue with the Yemeni Government and Yemeni stakeholders
Partners (please list all partners)	Government of Yemen
Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)	SDG 16
Member States benefiting from it	Yemen
Description (max 150 words)	The event organized includes several topics related to peace and security in the Member State. The risk monitor tool from the for the Arab region and for Libya was presented and well-received by the audience. Particularly relevant and appreciated in the context was the holistic approach adopted in the tool that also considers development and in particular climate-related drivers in the context of risk analysis. The participants engaged in discussion regarding the use of the tool for policy making at different geographical levels.
Website	NA

6. In the Political Declaration adopted at the 2023 SDG Summit, Member States committed to using the review of the high-level political forum at the 78th session of the General Assembly to further strengthen the follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, harnessing data to track progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, strengthening analysis of the interlinkages across the Goals and targets, including policy implications of their synergies and trade-offs. Please provide your organization’s recommendations, if any, in this regard.

Strengthen follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at HLPF

For countries in conflict and other fragile states, VNRs must be approached differently. A more useful approach for support has been through bilateral exchanges / VNR twinning that help these countries focus on key issues and approaches that are feasible and useful in situations where political and geographical divisions are stark and institutional capacities weak. ESCWA is already engaged in such support, which has benefited countries such as Syria, Palestine and now Yemen.
There needs to be a continuity of VNR support, creating a cycle of implementation, monitoring and peer learning. In this vein, ESCWA has established a regional VNR community of practice. These practitioners attend all the regional VNR workshops and engage in focus discussions even when they are not presenting a VNR in a particular year.
VNRs should be better leveraged as a tool for securing the needed means of SDG implementation. Recent ESCWA support has focused on how VNR processes can vitalize efforts around technology, and future support is planned on financing.

Harnessing data to track progress in implementation

Support Member States in developing, accessing, and using data for responsive policymaking.
Support Member States in enhancing data flow, mobilizing unconventional data sources, and promoting partnerships for open data:
- Build capacities of NSOs and other national institutions on SDG indicators, including adjustment of data collection in time of crisis, as well as innovative approaches and artificial intelligence (AI) to bridge SDG data gaps.
- Collect and disseminate reliable and timely data and knowledge to support member States in defining adequate responses to societal challenges. New regulations promoting open access to private data and overcoming restrictions in data sharing among national institutions should be further promoted.
- Sustain regional hub for SDG National Reporting and SDG Data Collection Tool Platforms in collaboration with custodian agencies and NSOs, and advocate for data sharing agreements.
Support and build capacities of member States to localize the SDGs and collect data on inequality, including income and wealth distribution, through local-level and disaggregated data.
ESCWA developed MARS, a Monitoring Application for Reporting on SDGs. MARS enables countries to manage national data flow and facilitate reporting at the country level by digitizing coordination processes, thus enhancing accountability and transparency at the data provider level and in line with the UN custodian agencies’ calendar and data collection tools. Countries in the process of applying MARS establish their national networks for SDG data providers at the indicator level from each ministry to report on SDGs through the national statistical offices (NSO). MARS digitizes the transaction of data between data providers and custodian agencies through the NSO leading process at the country level. The performance dashboard and status report will enable NSOs to follow and track reporting by all data providers, including the completion of the verification process by custodian agencies. The process will also enable NSOs to take the lead as the official source of national data and publish timely quality data on their national reporting platforms. Moreover, NSOs will be able to address the challenges of data gaps in a timely manner. This will also lessen duplication of effort and discrepancies between national and international sources and strengthen the coordination of the national statistical systems to report timely on unified national statistics.

Accompany the Artificial Intelligence revolution: Regarding strategic foresight, interactive platforms that include databases, knowledge products, macro-economic analysis, and simulation tools make it possible to test a variety of scenarios and their socio-economic impact. The mobilization of strategic foresight towards evidence-based decision-making should be based on the collaboration within UN entities through Regional Collaborative Platforms, boosting multi-agency workstreams. It is equally important to continue convening partners for consensus, capacity building, peer-to-peer learning, sharing of good practices on transboundary issues such as migration, labor mobility, climate change, food security, water, trade, transport, and energy.

The UN system should demonstrate leadership in the ethical and policy environment, anticipating the impact of AI, especially on the most vulnerable. In addition, issues related to voice and accountability, good governance, hate speech, discriminatory practices and other key challenges can threaten the human rights foundations of the SDGs and their emphasis on leaving no one behind.

Strengthening analysis of the interlinkages across Goals and targets, including policy implications of their synergies and trade-offs

Invest further in risk-informed financing. Successful risk-informed financing relies on sound financial planning, management, and budget execution. However, all financing decisions are confronted with an anomaly of risks, both explicit (when finite public funds contend with diverse development priorities) and implicit (when expenditures collaterally compromise SDG outcomes). While the latter drew attention to sustainable financing, the former raised interest in harnessing SDG synergies. Yet, evidence-based assessments of how these risk strands interact and how different expenditures impact SDG performance in national contexts are almost entirely absent. Therefore, through a machine learning technique, ESCWA uncovers how the global network of SDG interlinkages manifest themselves in national contexts to maximize fiscal space and the returns on domestic public resources. This innovative approach enables policymakers to leverage the gains from SDG interlinkages, support the strategic sequencing of financing decisions, minimize opportunity costs, measure and improve public spending efficiency, while maximizing SDG impact across the entire spectrum of budget expenditures. ESCWA developed an artificial budget intelligence powered toolkit (iBiT) to amplify the returns on public spending and optimize public expenditure efficiency. The toolkit is also aimed at maximizing SDG performance across a wide specter of national targets, especially in countries facing severe fiscal space constraints. The iBiT overcomes fiscal space limitations, accounts for country idiosyncrasies, and captures how SDG-budget synergies and trade-offs manifest themselves in different country contexts. See: https://www.unescwa.org/AI-budgeting

Continue to identify development investments / initiatives that will enable multiplier effect. For instance, through the Arab Risk Monitor tool, the multidimensional analysis of risk drivers allows to better understand the complexity of risk of conflict in the Arab region. The use of SDGs indicators in the tool is also quintessential for the understanding of the relevance of these indicators for the overall monitoring of development in Arab countries. The policy-oriented approach also contributed to increasing the relevance of this tool to strengthening the capacity of policymakers and analysts to assess the overarching level of risk given by the different drivers.

Other suggestions:

Operationalizing integrated financing approaches, frameworks and tools that include domestic and external resource mobilization to achieve the SDGs. The UN system should build on the work that it has already developed in helping member States construct Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFF) to help policy makers develop and pursue a coherent approach to costing and financing the SDGs. In this respect, please refer to ESCWA’s online INFF tool (https://ffd.unescwa.org/countries.aspx), which has been applied to several Arab countries.
Leveraging multilateral platforms, norms and agreements to support SDG implementation. This should necessarily include national level work to promote whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to and ownership of development priorities and outcomes. As a regional commission, ESCWA would stress the need for greater regional and sub-regional collaboration; a good example is the work on shared water resources. ESCWA would also stress the opportunity to identify at global level development solutions that have worked in LDCs and MICs and facilitate dialogue and peer-to-peer exchanges to promote replication of what worked to similar contexts.
Forecasting and analysis of risks and trends for risk-informed policymaking. This could be linked to the work on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. This could focus on joint identification of caseloads and assistance targets. Specifically, while humanitarian work is meant to sustain lives until development can click back in, in reality there is no transfer of caseloads between humanitarian and development actors. Many development initiatives – other than the social safety nets – are missing the most vulnerable and the poorest: cash transfer programmes, micro-loans, etc. They all proved to have missed those most vulnerable. ESCWA would call for more focused, agile and integrated planning, where development adjusts to take over humanitarian caseloads in post-conflict and post-disaster settings. This could be done through joint preparedness and planning based on risk analysis between humanitarian, development and peace actors. The UN system could use this type of analysis as a leverage to support member States with development planning and prioritization, as well as fundraising for such priorities, with multiplier effects.

ECESA Plus Member

ESCWA

Year of submission: 2023