Most countries in the ESCWA region see social policy as a basic element in achieving balanced human and economic development. However, those countries are facing diverse challenges, are endowed with different capacities to address them and are striving to reconcile diverse needs across all parts of society against scarce resources. This report, which builds on the previous two Integrated Social Policy reports prepared by ESCWA, examines the visions and approaches to social development adopted by ESCWA member countries; highlights their main social objectives and priorities; investigates the socio-economic challenges; and analyses how countries address the issues of social protection, investing in people and creating an enabling environment. It concludes that the challenges emerging as being critical for the future development of the region include cross-sectoral partnerships, equitable allocation of resources and inclusive growth.