July 2014: The Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) and the Arab Organization for Administrative Development (ARADO), in cooperation with the UN Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) and the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, held a regional Arab forum to discuss the post-2015 process. The event, titled ‘Addressing social and economic inequalities: the need for a new paradigm,’ resulted in policy recommendations on reducing socio-economic inequality in the region.

The forum took place on 14-15 July 2014, in Beirut, Lebanon. Participants stressed the need to include civil society as a full development partner in policy-making and implementation. They also called for an expansion from the three traditional pillars of development – economic, social, and environmental – to include national governance, culture, and religion, for an integrated paradigm.

Based on the discussions at this event, policy priorities for post-2015 in this region include: inclusive, sustainable, and redistributive growth; the integration of human rights; strategic integration rather than liberalization of trade; equitable taxation policies; social protection policies; and fostering gender equity, peace, and the right to self-determination.

The outcome document from the event is intended to influence both the 69th session of the UN General Assembly and the fourth round of the Economic, Developmental and Social Summit of the League of Arab States (LAS). [Outcome Document] [SocialWatch Press Release]