The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) has called upon OXCON to conduct a review of its Strategic Framework for 2020 and beyond. In so doing, OXCON convened a roundtable of experts, academics, policy practitioners and civil society activists; organised a review session at ESCWA headquarters in Beirut; and developed a report based on past documentation in addition to the outcome of the expert roundtable discussions. The report focused on identifying current and emerging issues confronting Arab countries in the realm of economic and social development, focusing on new issues and questions that have so far evaded ESCWA’s focus, and recommending priorities to meet the Sustainable Development Goals in the region.
The report is to feed into internal ESCWA review processes, allowing for the repurposing of its priorities and expenditure in the region for the period 2020-2030.