Amman Hosts UN ESCWA Workshop on Post-Conflict Public Governance

29-30 April 2024 - Amman, Jordan

On April 29-30, 2024, Amman, Jordan was the focal point for discussions on public governance in post-conflict settings, hosting a critical workshop titled "SDG 16 in the Post-Conflict Phase: How to Strengthen Public Governance for Sustainable Recovery." Organized by UN ESCWA, the workshop aims to address the challenges of building effective governance in countries affected by conflict, fragility, and crisis across the Arab region.

In many parts of the Arab world, conflict has severely impacted the institutional frameworks necessary for stable governance, leading to reduced trust in government, hindered development, and persistent instability. These countries rank poorly globally on various governance metrics, including government effectiveness and corruption, among others.

The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, experts, and representatives from civil society, to forge a path toward sustainable recovery and resilience. It was designed to facilitate a deep dive into the complexities of public governance in the aftermath of conflict and to explore viable strategies for reform and development.

The event was structured around seven key sessions spread over two days. Each session was tailored to address different aspects of governance and recovery in post-conflict settings, ranging from theoretical approaches to practical applications, such as the use of emerging technologies in reconstruction efforts.

One of the highlights of the first day was Session 4, titled "Public Administration Reform and Development in Post-Conflict Settings," chaired by Mr. Younes Abouyoub. This session focused on essential reforms needed to rebuild competent public administrations that are transparent, professional, and responsive to local needs. Speakers for Session 4 included Mr. Zaid Al Ali, Ms. Afrah Saleh, Mr. Nariman Muradasilov, Mr. Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, Ms. Abla Amawi, and Mr. Raed Ben Shams. Each brought unique insights into the challenges of rebuilding local governance and local public administration systems depleted by conflict.

Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, a partner at LUGARIT, shared his expertise on creating effective local governance frameworks at the local level reflecting on several case studies in conflict situations, especially in Syria. His discussion explored the importance of bottom-up reforms during conflicts and their impact on peacebuilding and the ability to move reforms in the post-conflict. He looked at the deficient models of local governance models that existed before the conflict and the ones that emerged during the conflict, and argued that empowering municipal structures to improve service delivery and responsiveness to community needs is key to creating the conditions for peacebuilding and early recovery.

Other sessions focused on anti-corruption measures, emphasizing the need for strong oversight mechanisms, financial transparency, and whistleblower protection. Furthermore, they underscored the importance of including civil society organizations in the reform process, as they can provide valuable input and help hold the government accountable.

As the region’s nations transition from periods of intense conflict, the meeting’s objective is clear: to foster discussions that not only highlight the importance of robust, accountable, and inclusive public institutions but also how these can be realistically achieved in environments scarred by conflict and crisis.

The outcomes of this workshop are expected to contribute to the understanding of Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provides access to justice for all, and builds effective, accountable institutions at all levels. This in turn will contribute to more practical approaches to operationalizing the SDG.

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