Enhancing competition and consumer protection laws and policies

Effective competition and consumer protection are critical drivers of job creation, productivity, poverty reduction and sustainable development in the Arab region. Competitive markets promote innovation, efficiency and investment, while robust consumer protection frameworks safeguard consumer welfare by preventing abuses of market power, unfair commercial practices and deceptive conduct.

In a context marked by economic shocks, market concentration and rapid digital transformation, Arab countries require modern competition and consumer protection laws, effective enforcement institutions, and regional cooperation mechanisms to strengthen the business environment, enhance market confidence, and support inclusive economic growth.

Our approach

ESCWA strengthens competition and consumer protection in the Arab region by supporting member countries in the development and enforcement of effective policies. Its approach combines capacity-building, policy dialogue and technical assistance, fostering dynamic, fair and well-functioning markets. ESCWA also facilitates cooperation among national authorities, regional institutions and international partners to foster policy convergence, peer learning and collective responses to emerging market challenges. 

A core pillar of ESCWA work is regional knowledge sharing, analytical research and evidence-based policy analysis, as well as advisory and technical support, and capacity-building. It supports harmonized national reforms aligned with international standards, while adapting approaches to regional development priorities, digitalization trends, and evolving global economic conditions. By integrating market studies, digital economy analysis and behavioural science insights into its work, ESCWA strengthens evidence-based policymaking and modernizes competition and consumer protection frameworks across the region.

Our partners

ESCWA works closely with a wide range of regional and international partners, including:

• United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• League of Arab States
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• COMESA Competition Commission
• National competition and consumer protection authorities in ESCWA member States.

Our activities

ESCWA undertakes analytical, advisory and capacity-building activities to support effective competition and consumer protection in the Arab region, including:

Knowledge platforms and legislative tools
ESCWA established the Arab Legislation Portal to help member countries share legal information and benchmark national frameworks against international standards. 

Research and analytical work
ESCWA produces research, technical papers, policy briefs, and flagship reports on competition and consumer protection. The Arab Business Legislative Frameworks report provides a comprehensive assessment of strengths and gaps in different business regulatory areas, including competition, consumer protection, anti-corruption, foreign direct investment and other regulations.

Regional dialogue and global engagement
ESCWA collaborates with partners to organize the annual Arab Competition Forum (first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth editions), with policy analysis papers and related documentation available on the pages of each forum edition. It also contributes to major regional and international platforms, including UNCTAD ministerial meetings and the OECD Global Forum on Competition.

Targeted market studies and capacity-building
ESCWA conducts sectoral market studies and delivers targeted training programmes to support effective enforcement of competition and consumer protection laws and policies.

Consumer protection 
ESCWA launched the Arab Consumer Protection Forum as a platform to advance regional dialogue and cooperation on consumer protection. 

Behavioural insights

ESCWA applies behavioural science to inform regulatory and policy frameworks, supporting more effective, evidence-based interventions tailored to regional contexts.

Awareness and advocacy material

These include a course on behavioural insights and strategic planning, a course on fighting bid rigging in public procurement and a short competition video series.