Resilient development & conflict prevention

ESCWA empowers member States to invest in inclusive and resilient institutions for sustainable peace across the region.

Protracted conflict and its spillover effects have had a detrimental impact on human development in several Arab countries. Social cohesion has been undermined. Hundreds of thousands have lost their lives. Millions have been forcibly displaced and are dependent on some form of humanitarian assistance. Wars have also greatly weakened institutional capacity, rendering the public sector unable to provide essential services, such as health, education and security. These factors pose serious challenges for conflict-affected countries to transition to peace.

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ESCWA is examining the impact of conflict on the SDGs in Arab countries, including Arab LDCs. It is also analysing the long-term impact of conflict on human development, so as to provide policy options for decision makers to secure peace and achieve the SDGs. To support recovery efforts and transitions towards peace, ESCWA is facilitating several inclusive national socioeconomic and technical dialogues, and examining the impact of the Israeli occupation on the State of Palestine.

These substantive interventions are coupled with technical support to enhance the institutional capacity of fragile countries, in line with SDG 16. Efforts include identifying institutional gaps in national development priorities, ensuring better planning and coordination in spite of fragility, supporting resilience, reversing the impact of conflict on human development, and peacebuilding.