Regional Programme for Arab States

Within diverse development contexts, the Arab States share social and cultural ties and persisting interconnected social, economic, and environmental challenges. Regional efforts can elevate shared issues, enabling dialogue on complex challenges to foster regional cooperation, partnerships, and knowledge exchanges, and create economies of scale.

The Regional Programme for Arab States (2022-2025) leverages a regional perspective to connect poverty reduction to sustainable resource management, to promote inclusive societies through regional economic cooperation, stabilization, and peacebuilding. Embracing a whole-of-society approach, we engage regional and national institutions, civil society, and the private sector for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Regional Programme for Arab States in Numbers

19

Countries

+26

million USD

9

projects

Regional Programme Portfolios

    The Social Contract

    Induced transformative change in a reimagined social contract that better reflects the needs and aspirations of the population in Arab States by instigating stronger trust among diverse social groups and between the citizens and the state, inclusive growth opportunities and youth and women Empowerment; Conflict prevention, resilience, and recovery.

    Youth Empowerment, Engagement & Knowledge Project – SHABABEEK
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    Social media channels

      X: @UNDP_Shababeek

      Facebook: UNDP Shababeek

      Instagram: UNDP_Shababeek

    Regional Project on Anti-Corruption and Integrity In the Arab Countries (ACIAC)
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    Social media channels

      X: UNDP_ACIAC

      Facebook: ACIAC

      Instagram: UNDP_ACIAC

      Linkedin: UNDP_ACIAC

     

     

     

     

     

    Green and Digital Socio-Economic Transformation

    A Twin Transition approach to green and digital transformation to leverage the untapped opportunity for technology to drive sustainable development, unlocking benefits in terms of inclusiveness, capabilities, agency, efficiency, and productivity, while minimizing the negative externality of technological advancement on human development.

    Knowledge Project
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      Social media channels

      X: @knowledge4All1

      Facebook: Knowledge4All

      Instagram: Knowledge4all

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    Digital for Sustainable Development
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    The Water – Energy – Food Nexus

    An integrated approach to policy and planning for sustainable development and equitable use of resources using the Water—Energy—Food Security Nexus (WEF) as an entry point towards the adoption of a sustainable development model, bolstering community resilience and economic growth.

    SDG-Climate Facility: Climate Action for Human Security
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      Social media channels

      X: @SDGClimFacility

      Linkedin: SDG-Climate Facility Project

     

     

     

     

     

    Knowledge Products

    Adapting to a New Climate in the MENA Region

    This report addresses the risks of climate change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the resulting economic impacts, and how banks are responding to climate risks.

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    Mobilising islamic banking for climate action

    This guide was developed by UNEP FI in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI)

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    Arab Future Energy Index 2023 (AFEX)

    AFEX is the first native Arab index dedicated to monitoring and analyzing sustainable energy competitiveness and governance in the region

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    Climate change and social vulnerability

    This study was conducted by AWC and WFP, it contributes to the development of integrated and multi-sectoral methodologies to measure and address climate change impact, looking particularly at the way in which climate change intersects with social vulnerability

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    Climate, Peace and Security Programming in the Arab States: Considerations for integrated programming in Jordan, Yemen, Iraq and Somalia

    This research was initiated by UNDP and WFP to investigate integrated climate, peace and security programming in the Arab States, focusing on Jordan, Yemen, Syria, Somalia and Iraq.

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    Journey to extremism in Africa: Pathways to recruitment and disengagement

    The surge in violent extremism in sub-Saharan Africa undermines hard-won development gains and threatens to hold back progress for generations to come.

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    Related Stories and News

    The Arab States Digital Day at the Mobile World Congress drives digital transformation in the Arab States

    The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), marked a milestone at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 with a high-level Arab States Digital Day,

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    UNDP and SAMENA Telecommunications Council forge digital alliance to accelerate progress on digital-led sustainable development in the Arab States

    The nexus between digital transformation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is crucial for the Arab States region.

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    UNDP and Kistpay unite to drive digital inclusion and sustainable development in Arab States

    The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Kistpay aimed at advancing digital inclusion and sustainable development in the Arab region

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    MBZUAI and UNDP partnership to advance use of artificial intelligence for sustainable development

    Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) inked a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2024 (WGS)

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    The UAE’s AI Office signs an agreement with UNDP to enhance the adoption of artificial intelligence

    The Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications in the UAE government signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to enhance research and development in artificial intelligence technologies and empower talents in the Arab region and beyond.

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    UNDP and MBRF partner with Coursera to launch an initiative to enhance skills for future job markets across the Arab States region

    The new FutureSkills4All initiative is tailored to address needs of a fast-changing workforce

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    Transformation through knowledge and data: Honouring 15 years of partnerships for sustainable development



    As we stand at the midpoint of realizing the 2030 Agenda, the objective of this event is to underscore and advocate for the paramount significance of knowledge, skills and data as enablers for advancing progress on the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

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    Unlocking potential: the remarkable rise of EduBolt

    Bryan Youssef, a 22-year-old medical student, embarked on a transformative journey when he founded EduBolt, an ed-tech startup born out of his personal struggles with the traditional learning experience.

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    Leveraging young people’s skills to shape the Arab region’s future

    Youth play a central role in the development of their countries and societies. The many faces and experiences of young people from the Arab region carry hopes, dreams and aspirations for a better future

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    CIRCL: turning waste into opportunities in Akkar




    In the heart of Akkar, in Lebanon, a region known for its resilience and beauty but often overlooked and underserved, two determined women, Hiba Mikhael and Elya Rizk, returned to Lebanon from Europe with a fervent desire to ignite change in their marginalized community.

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