ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL5.SDGS/2026/RFSD/Background paper.2
Country: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Iraq, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Kuwait, Lebanese Republic, Kingdom of Morocco, State of Palestine, State of Qatar, Syrian Arab Republic, Republic of Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Yemen
Publication Type: Information material
Cluster: 2030 Agenda and SDG Coordination
Focus Area: 2030 Agenda
Initiatives: Monitoring Sustainable Development Goal Data, Arab Forum for Sustainable Development
SDGs: Agenda 2030, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Keywords: Algeria, Basic services, Cities, Displaced persons, Egypt, Environmental degradation, Governance, Housing, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Physical infrastructure, Public transport, Qatar, Resilience, Slums, Social services, State of palestine, Sustainable development, Syrian arab republic, Tunisia, United arab emirates, Urban population, Urbanization, War, Yemen
Arab cities on the frontline: advancing SDG 11 amid escalating crises
May 2026
The present background note examines progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) against the backdrop of rapid urbanization and escalating crises in the Arab region. While cities are essential for economic opportunities, service delivery and social inclusion, sustainable urban development continues to be constrained by a combination of factors, including rapid population growth, conflict-driven displacement, climate change and the limited capacity of local governance.
One in five people in the region still live in slums, illegal settlements and other forms of inadequate housing, while access to public transport, green public spaces and essential urban services remains uneven. Protracted conflicts have severely damaged the housing stock, infrastructure and essential services, reversing development gains and deepening inequalities. Conflict escalations since 2023, including the war in Gaza and its regional spillover effects, have further intensified these challenges, weakening the capacity of cities to function as engines of economic growth and social inclusion.
The note finally highlights the urgent need for integrated, inclusive and locally driven urban policies. Key priorities include expanding access to safe and affordable housing, improving access to basic services, strengthening municipal governance, enhancing resilience to climate- and conflict-related shocks, and investing in data-driven urban planning. Achieving SDG 11 in the Arab region requires coordinated action at the national and local levels, innovative financing mechanisms and long-term strategies that bridge humanitarian response and recovery efforts.
- 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 examines progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) against the backdrop of rapid urbanization and escalating crises in the Arab region. While cities are essential for economic opportunities, service delivery and social inclusion, sustainable urban development continues to be constrained by a combination of factors, including rapid population growth, conflict-driven displacement, climate change and the limited capacity of local governance.
One in five people in the region still live in slums, illegal settlements and other forms of inadequate housing, while access to public transport, green public spaces and essential urban services remains uneven. Protracted conflicts have severely damaged the housing stock, infrastructure and essential services, reversing development gains and deepening inequalities. Conflict escalations since 2023, including the war in Gaza and its regional spillover effects, have further intensified these challenges, weakening the capacity of cities to function as engines of economic growth and social inclusion.
The note finally highlights the urgent need for integrated, inclusive and locally driven urban policies. Key priorities include expanding access to safe and affordable housing, improving access to basic services, strengthening municipal governance, enhancing resilience to climate- and conflict-related shocks, and investing in data-driven urban planning. Achieving SDG 11 in the Arab region requires coordinated action at the national and local levels, innovative financing mechanisms and long-term strategies that bridge humanitarian response and recovery efforts.
- 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
