ESCWA, UNICEF and the Ministry of Finance in Lebanon are convening the Arab Public Finance and Budgeting Forum 2026 under the theme “Building Resilient Public Finance Systems amid Geopolitical Shocks and Crises.” The Forum advances the implementation of the Sevilla Commitment through peer learning and practical action aimed at embedding climate considerations, equity and resilience into public financial management and budgeting.
Building on the inaugural Forum in 2025, the 2026 edition brings together ministers responsible for finance, social affairs, planning and the economy, as well as senior officials and development partners. Participants share experiences and identify policy options to protect essential social spending while advancing national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals despite fiscal pressures and uncertainty.
Baghdad, Iraq
