Reform Priorities of the Multilateral System from a Civil Society Perspective

Special Session 12
Thursday, 7 March 2024
3:30–5:00 p.m. Beirut time

The Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) organized a special session as part of the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development to address sustainable development priorities from a regional perspective.

The session aimed to amplify the voices of civil society and highlight civil society approaches to overcoming current challenges by focusing on the regional context and connecting these discussions with the Summit of the Future.

The session specifically addressed the following issues:

• Global crises and the effectiveness of global governance: The session examined current global crises and the challenges they pose to effective global governance, with particular attention to the economic dimensions, including the international financial architecture and the roles of the global economy, financial institutions and the United Nations.
• The regional geopolitical context: The discussion explored the effects of global crises on security and economic and social conditions in the Arab region, as well as the failure to achieve prosperity for individuals and peoples, ensure peace, and recognize people’s rights to development, self-determination and effective participation amid increasing restrictions on civic space.
• A transformative and comprehensive approach: The session considered ways to adopt a transformative and comprehensive approach to confronting current challenges, beginning with political and economic reform, followed by a comprehensive and sustainable response, and ultimately progressing toward development aligned with human rights principles.

Moderator and Panelists

Moderator:
Ms. Sally Abi Khalil, Middle East and North Africa Director, Oxfam

Panelists:

• Dr. Mohamad Said Saadi, Advisor, ANND
• Mr. Medani Abass, Director, Nidaa Organization, Sudan
• Mr. Ziad Abdel Samad, Executive Director, ANND

Questions Addressed

1. What are the most prominent features of the global crisis and its effects on the region? How does the current geopolitical context affect peace, human rights and sustainable development in the region? What potential improvements or alternative approaches can be suggested to enhance the effectiveness of global governance?
2. How can a more equitable financing path for development be established, and how can rights-based economic and social policies be formulated to protect Arab societies from debt crises, their consequences and prevailing economic approaches? Given the wide disparities across the Arab region, what are the main challenges surrounding development models and their financing, and how do these challenges affect the most vulnerable groups and the achievement of justice?
3. To overcome restrictions on civic space, how can mutually accountable partnerships be established among development actors in the Arab region? What measures are needed to ensure the meaningful participation of rights holders in shaping development pathways?