Governance for a New Era: Building State Capacity

ESCWA is organizing the ESCWA Public Administration Community of Practice – MENAPAR within the 2026 Public Policy Dialogue, in partnership with the Middle East and North Africa Public Administration Research Network, the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA), and the National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government. The event is held as part as part of the IASIA 2026 Annual Conference.

Under the theme “Building State Capacity in the MENA Region for a New Era,” the dialogue examines how artificial intelligence, digital government and evolving citizen expectations are reshaping governance and public administration. Participants consider how education and training can prepare the future public workforce and strengthen leadership, digital and institutional capacity. Discussions cover AI-enabled governance, institutional readiness for digital transformation, responsible and ethical AI, and inclusive, accessible and citizen-centred public services. Policymakers, institutional leaders, educators, researchers and practitioners from Europe and the MENA region exchange experience through thematic discussions and research-policy roundtables.

The dialogue aims to produce evidence-based recommendations, identify adaptable practices from Europe and the MENA region, and strengthen regional cooperation in research, training and institutional capacity-building.