ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL5.SDGS/2026/RFSD/Background paper.4
Country: Kingdom of Bahrain, Lebanese Republic, United Arab Emirates
Publication Type: Information material
Cluster: 2030 Agenda and SDG Coordination
Focus Area: 2030 Agenda
Initiatives: Arab Dialogue on Internet Governance, Monitoring Sustainable Development Goal Data, Arab Forum for Sustainable Development
SDGs: Agenda 2030, Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Keywords: Bahrain, Communication technology, Basic services, Digital technology, Energy resources, Gulf states, Industrialization, Information technology, Lebanon, Maritime traffic, Physical infrastructure, Post-conflict reconstruction, Resilience, Sustainable development, Territories occupied by israel, Trade routes, Transport infrastructure, United arab emirates, War, Water resources
Advancing SDG 9 in times of crisis: a focus on infrastructure in the Arab region
May 2026
The present background note reviews progress towards achieving the infrastructure pillar of Sustainable Development Goal 9 in the Arab region. Infrastructure is a critical enabler of economic growth, social inclusion and regional integration, particularly in the Arab region where geography, trade corridors and energy systems link national development trajectories to global markets. Against this backdrop, the note examines the impact of the ongoing regional crisis on different types of infrastructure, including energy, water and food systems, transport networks, healthcare facilities, housing and education. It highlights how armed conflict and the destruction of infrastructure facilities are reversing development gains, disrupting multiple economic sectors and increasing humanitarian needs.
The background note concludes with a set of policy recommendations focusing on integrating resilience into the design of transport and logistics infrastructure, enhancing the resilience of water and energy infrastructure, strengthening the resilience of agrifood systems, and investing in diversified routing and redundant connectivity for digital infrastructure.
- Accelerating inclusive implementation of SDG 6 for improved resilient water security in the Arab region
- SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy in times of crisis in the Arab region
- Advancing SDG 9 in times of crisis: a focus on infrastructure in the Arab region
- Arab cities on the frontline: advancing SDG 11 amid escalating crises
Related content
2030 Agenda
The present background note reviews progress towards achieving the infrastructure pillar of Sustainable Development Goal 9 in the Arab region. Infrastructure is a critical enabler of economic growth, social inclusion and regional integration, particularly in the Arab region where geography, trade corridors and energy systems link national development trajectories to global markets. Against this backdrop, the note examines the impact of the ongoing regional crisis on different types of infrastructure, including energy, water and food systems, transport networks, healthcare facilities, housing and education. It highlights how armed conflict and the destruction of infrastructure facilities are reversing development gains, disrupting multiple economic sectors and increasing humanitarian needs.
The background note concludes with a set of policy recommendations focusing on integrating resilience into the design of transport and logistics infrastructure, enhancing the resilience of water and energy infrastructure, strengthening the resilience of agrifood systems, and investing in diversified routing and redundant connectivity for digital infrastructure.
- Accelerating inclusive implementation of SDG 6 for improved resilient water security in the Arab region
- SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy in times of crisis in the Arab region
- Advancing SDG 9 in times of crisis: a focus on infrastructure in the Arab region
- Arab cities on the frontline: advancing SDG 11 amid escalating crises
