Development challenges

There is growing recognition in the Arab region of the need for more meaningful development indicators, reflecting an increased emphasis within the United Nations system on complementing traditional measures such as gross domestic product (GDP). This shift is anchored in target 17.19 of the Sustainable Development Goals and reinforced by the United Nations Secretary-General in Our Common Agenda, which call for metrics that go beyond economic output to reflect social, environmental and governance dimensions.  In response, the United Nations system and expert institutions have advanced multidimensional frameworks, including the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), to more accurately represent human well-being and sustainable development. 

Despite significant progress in education, health and infrastructure since the 1990s, the Arab region continues to face persistent challenges. This initiative seeks to address this gap by drawing on the forthcoming World Development Challenges Report prepared by ESCWA, thereby providing a more comprehensive perspective that goes beyond GDP. It aims to highlight the underlying foundations of progress that are essential for informing policies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the region. 

Our approach

Our approach centres on the Global Development Index (GDI), a robust comparative tool designed to address development challenges. By prioritizing practical applicability, ESCWA conducts country-level technical consultations to refine and embed the GDI into national planning frameworks.

The GDI’s multidimensional results reveal that progress in reducing basic deprivations has not yet led to sustainable or equitable development across the region. Governance emerges as the most fragile pillar, highlighting persistent gaps in government effectiveness, transparency, and citizen participation. To address these challenges, the strategy of ESCWA focuses on accelerating governance reform, revitalizing the social contract, and strengthening regional cooperation to foster trust, efficiency and collective action. 

Our partners

Partners include regional and global think tanks, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London, and other academic institutions.

Our activities

Activities under this stream include the launch of the forthcoming State of Development in the Arab Region: A Human Development Trap report, the launch of the World Development Challenges Report, the organization of the Beyond GDP webinar with the High-Level Expert Group on Beyond GDP, as well as consultations with the Institute of National Planning in Egypt to adapt the Global Development Index (GDI) to the national context, and the launch of the State of Development in Egypt: A Global Comparative Analysis report.