Arab economies showed some resilience against adverse conditions: low oil prices, social unrest and armed violence. Low oil prices impacts on Arab development.

Within its continuous efforts to advance Sustainable Consumption and Production in the Arab region, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and the League of Arab States (LAS) are organizing the Expert Group Meeting on “Resource Efficiency in the Arab Region, Monitoring Progress of SDG 12 and Building Back Better after COVID-19”.
The meeting will focus on the following three thematic areas: Statistical Frameworks and Methodologies for Measurement of SCP Indicators, Monitoring Progress on SDG 12 in the Arab Region, and Review of National Progress and Building Back Better and Green Recovery in the Context of COVID-19.
 

The mandate of the Committee includes the following: (a) discussing priorities under the programme of work and midterm action plans of the Commission in the field of trade policies; (b) following up on progress in trade policies in member States and making recommendations in that regard; (c) monitoring developments in regional and international forums, conferences and processes with regard to trade policies, and coordinating regional efforts towards the implementation of related resolutions and recommendations emanating from such platforms; and (d) supporting cooperation between the secretariat of the Commission and specialized ministerial councils of the League of Arab States, and organizations and unions formed under its umbrella, and with other specialized regional organizations, to build capacity and harmonize policies and strategies to develop trade policies; and supporting communication efforts, partnerships and the harmonization of positions in the international arena.