Charting the Future: Presenting Regional Scenarios for the Arab Region

17-18 October 2019  -  UN House, Beirut, Lebanon

At the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) held on October 17-18, 2019 at the UN House in Beirut, Lebanon, a step was taken towards developing a comprehensive risk assessment framework for the Arab region. Organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), this meeting was a part of a series of activities dedicated towards the development of an Arab regional risk assessment framework.

The meeting took into account the interconnected effects of conflict and non-conflict drivers of hazard, exposure, vulnerability, capacity, and fragility in the Arab region. The discussions were enriched by a diverse group of participants, including experts in sociology, economics, political science, environmental sciences, and security sector reform, along with development practitioners, representatives from prominent think tanks, and civil society organizations.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation by Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj.  Mr. Hallaj brought forward future scenarios for the Arab region, intricately detailing the regional challenges associated with conflicts and their impacts on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Development Agenda. These scenarios, developed as part of the collaborative work done on a project with ESCWA, provided a critical insight into the future risks and potential trajectories of the region.

The meeting's agenda was comprehensive, covering various aspects like patterns of conflict and political instability, vulnerability and capacity in the Arab region, and megatrends and catalysts in the region. These discussions were pivotal in understanding the broader context of risks and challenges faced by the Arab region and in identifying pathways for sustainable development and stability.

As the Arab region continues to navigate through a complex and rapidly changing environment, the outcomes of this Expert Group Meeting are expected to play a crucial role in shaping policies and strategies that enhance prevention, mitigation, resilience, and response to the myriad challenges faced by the region. The collaborative efforts of experts and stakeholders at this meeting mark a significant step towards understanding and addressing the risks and uncertainties that loom over the Arab region's future.

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Protesters with Egyptian Flags, Alexandria, Sidi Gaber, Egypt. 30 June 2013.  Photo © MidoSemsem - via ShutterStock.  Link >

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