ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL2.GPID/2025/Policy brief.6
Country: Arab region, Republic of Sudan, Republic of Yemen
Publication Type: Policy briefs
Cluster: Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development
Focus Area: Gender equality, Inclusive development, Future of employment, Population dynamics & migration
Initiatives: Reducing inequalities, Job creation, Women’s economic empowerment
SDGs: Goal 5: Gender Equality, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Keywords: Arab countries, Armed conflicts, Climate change, Digital divide, Discrimination, Environmental degradation, Forced migration, Gender discrimination, Governance, Informal sector, Military occupation, Multilateralism, Public services, Recommendations, Social development, Social security, Sudan, Territories occupied by israel, Yemen, Youth employment
Arab region perspectives: Paving the road to the Second World Summit for Social Development
August 2025
Thirty years after the Copenhagen Declaration’s landmark commitments to eradicate poverty, promote full and productive employment, and foster social integration, the Arab region remains at a crossroads. Despite progress in health, education, and infrastructure, deep inequalities, fragile governance, widespread informality, environmental degradation, and ongoing conflicts continue to define daily life for millions. Rising climate stresses, shrinking civic space, and the digital divide compound these challenges, underscoring the urgency for a new, justice-driven approach to sustainable development. With the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) approaching, the region’s experiences and perspectives hold critical relevance for shaping a more inclusive global agenda.
This policy brief distills the insights of the Arab regional consultation convened in May 2025 by ESCWA and UNRISD, which gathered voices from across civil society, academia, and policy circles. It outlines the main challenges facing the region while highlighting the participants’ shared call for a values-based social contract grounded in dignity, equality, and ecological balance. By presenting priority themes and actionable policy recommendations, the brief offers a compelling regional vision to inform the WSSD deliberations. It calls on the summit to move beyond symbolic declarations toward transformative action capable of addressing structural injustices and fostering genuine peace, inclusion, and sustainability.
Related content
Gender equality, Inclusive development, Future of employment, Population dynamics & migration
Thirty years after the Copenhagen Declaration’s landmark commitments to eradicate poverty, promote full and productive employment, and foster social integration, the Arab region remains at a crossroads. Despite progress in health, education, and infrastructure, deep inequalities, fragile governance, widespread informality, environmental degradation, and ongoing conflicts continue to define daily life for millions. Rising climate stresses, shrinking civic space, and the digital divide compound these challenges, underscoring the urgency for a new, justice-driven approach to sustainable development. With the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) approaching, the region’s experiences and perspectives hold critical relevance for shaping a more inclusive global agenda.
This policy brief distills the insights of the Arab regional consultation convened in May 2025 by ESCWA and UNRISD, which gathered voices from across civil society, academia, and policy circles. It outlines the main challenges facing the region while highlighting the participants’ shared call for a values-based social contract grounded in dignity, equality, and ecological balance. By presenting priority themes and actionable policy recommendations, the brief offers a compelling regional vision to inform the WSSD deliberations. It calls on the summit to move beyond symbolic declarations toward transformative action capable of addressing structural injustices and fostering genuine peace, inclusion, and sustainability.
