Ahead of the Fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit
Beirut, Lebanon, 10-11 January 2019
What: Ahead of the fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit (AESD) to be held in Beirut on 20 January, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) along with members of the platform on sustainable development are organizing a civil society forum.
When: Thursday and Friday 10-11 January at 9:00am
Where: ESCWA Headquarters, Riad el-Solh Square, Beirut, Lebanon
Why: The aim is to hold an interactive dialogue between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to discuss the current challenges to development in the Arab region from a civil society perspective, and agree on a set of positions and priorities for the region to influence the outcome of the summit in line with civil society’s identified priorities for the region.
The forum also aims to open dialogue channels with the League of Arab States (LAS), which allow the involvement of civil society in policy issues affecting the region.
It will revolve around a new rights development model (paradigm), growth, development and sustainability; an inclusive development model that ensures social justice; culture in the framework of the development model; developmental States; and the role of civil society in development.
The upcoming summit will be the first following the adoption of the Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), therefore more commitment and actions are expected from the countries to make. The agenda of the upcoming summit is expected to discuss ways to eradicate poverty, the issue of identity and belonging, ways to combat all forms of violence, and assess the outcomes of wars and conflicts in the region.
Who:
- The Acting Executive Secretary of ESCWA Mr. Mounir Tabet;
- The MENA Policy and campaigns Manager at Oxfam, Ms. Manal Warde;
- The President of the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union (LPHU) Ms. Sylvana Lakkis, representative of the platform on sustainable development;
- The representative of ANND, Mr. Adib Nehmeh.
Members of the platform on sustainable development organized in 2018 by a group of civil society networks that include Transparency International (TI), Disabled People International, Arab Chapter (DPI), the Arab Trade Union Confederation (ATUC), Habitat International Coalition, the Arab Women Center for Training and Research (CAWTAR), the Arab Network for Democratic Elections (ANDE), and the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND).
The ESCWA Communication and Information Unit (ECIU) kindly asks media representatives wishing to cover these meetings to confirm their attendance at +96170008879.
For more information:
Mr. Nabil Abu-Dargham, Head of the ESCWA Communication and Information Unit:
+961-70-99 31 44; dargham@un.org
Ms. Rania Harb: +961-70-00 88 79; harb1@un.org
