What: The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the League of Arab States (LAS), and United Nations agencies working in the Arab region are holding the 2024 Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD-2024), chaired by Oman. This annual event is the primary regional mechanism for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The messages emanating from the Forum will be submitted next July to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).
When: From Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 March 2024, at 9 a.m. Beirut time.
Where: UN House in Beirut and online via Zoom on this link: https://bit.ly/AFSD2024-Reg.
The opening session of the Forum will feature:
- Mr. Najib Mikati, Caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon;
- Mr. Said bin Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Saqri, Minister of Economy of Oman (Chair of AFSD-2024);
- Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group;
- Ms. Rola Dashti, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA;
- Ms. Haifa Abu Ghazeleh, Assistant Secretary General and Head of Social Affairs sector at the League of Arab States.
Participants will also include high-level representatives at the ministerial level and delegates from ministries; bodies concerned with planning and following up on the 2030 Agenda; parliamentarians; regional and international institutions; civil society organizations; the private sector; academic and research centres; and the media.
Why: The Forum, held under the theme "Delivering for Sustainability and Peace", will review progress made in the Arab region on five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 1 (ending poverty in all its forms everywhere), SDG 2 (on ending hunger), SDG 13 (on climate action), SDG 16 (on peace, justice and strong institutions), and SDG 17 (on partnerships for the Goals).
Special features:
- A high-level dialogue will debate the Summit of the Future to be held in September 2024, which will in turn result in a Global Digital Compact outlining a vision for an open, free, and secure digital future for all (5 March).
- Plenary and special sessions organized with various partners will address several topics of priority for the region.
Media colleagues who wish to physically attend the Forum should confirm with the ESCWA Communication Unit and send a photo passport to the email below to claim their badges.
