What: The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is organizing the second edition of the Arab Forum for Equality under the theme “One voice... Equality in food security”, in partnership with the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies hosted by the Center on International Cooperation at New York University, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), Oxfam, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
When: Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 June 2023, at 9:00 a.m. Beirut time.
Where: The UN House in Beirut.
Who: ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti will deliver remarks during the opening ceremony.
Participants will include Arab ministers, high-level representatives and senior officials in planning, social development, agriculture, economy and trade, and youth issues. The event will also bring together representatives of regional organizations, civil society networks, academic institutions, international think tanks, and UN agencies operating in the Arab region.
Why: Food insecurity in the region has increased in recent years, and is one of the main forms of inequality. In this context, the Arab Forum for Equality will discuss the trends and effects of inequality resulting from current global and regional developments, and will present innovative and practical policies to address the issue.
Special Features:
- A special session with updates on the Josour initiative, to create more opportunities for young men and women and increase their employability, in the presence of Lebanese Superstar Elissa, the public figure advocating this initiative.
- The announcement of the winners of the “Food security and inequality in the Arab region” challenge, and an exhibition featuring children’s submissions to the “My healthy lunch” challenge.
- A special session on desertification: “Her lands, her rights”.
For the agenda and more details, click here.
The ESCWA Communication Unit kindly asks media representatives wishing to cover this event to confirm their attendance to:
- Ms. Maryam Sleiman, Public Information Assistant, via mobile +961-81-769888 or e-mail: sleiman2@un.org;
- Ms. Rania Harb, Public Information Assistant, via mobile +961-70-008-879 or email: harb1@un.org.
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One of five United Nations regional commissions, ESCWA supports inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in Arab States, and works on enhancing regional integration.
