Beirut, Lebanon, 14-16 April
What: Under the Patronage of the President of Lebanon General Joseph Aoun, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the League of Arab States (LAS), and United Nations agencies working in the Arab region are convening the 2025 Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD-2025), chaired by Iraq.
This annual event is the primary regional mechanism for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, fostering dialogue among policymakers, experts, and development partners. Its key messages will be shared at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2025, reinforcing the Arab region’s role in shaping global sustainable development efforts.
When: From Monday 14 to Wednesday 16 April 2025, at 9 a.m. Beirut time.
Where: UN House in Beirut and online via Zoom.
Register on this link: https://bit.ly/AFSD2025Reg2
The opening session of the Forum will feature welcoming remarks by:
- H.E. General Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon;
- H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS);
- H.E. Muhammad Ali Tamim, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning of Iraq and Chair of AFSD-2025;
- Ms. Rola Dashti, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA;
- Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (video message).
Participants will include high-level officials from ministries, bodies concerned with planning and following up on the 2030 Agenda and parliaments. Representatives from regional and international institutions. civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, research centres and think tanks, and the media, will also attend the Forum.
Why: Held on the theme “Restoring hope, raising ambition”, the Forum will assess progress in the Arab region on five key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals).
Special features:
- A high-level dialogue will explore ways to strengthen multilateralism for a peaceful and prosperous Arab region.
- Ministerial discussions will support positioning the region in key global events, including the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, the Second World Summit for Social Development, and the Global Digital Compact within the Pact for the Future.
- Thematic and special sessions will assess progress on the SDGs under review and explore transformative solutions to accelerate their implementation.
- Round-table discussions will include the Arab SDG Business Round-table series and a spotlight on voluntary national reviews in countries affected by conflict.
Ceremony:
- ESCWA Digital Arabic Content Award for Sustainable Development 2024-2025 (14 April at 5:30 p.m. Beirut time).
Media colleagues who wish to attend the Forum physically should confirm by 9 April with the ESCWA Communication Unit and send a photo passport to the emails below to claim their badges.
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About ESCWA
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.
For more information and inquiries:
- Ms. Maryam Sleiman, Public Information Assistant, +961-81-769888; sleiman2@un.org
- Ms. Rania Harb, Public Information Assistant, +961-70-008-879; email: harb1@un.org.
