The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) convened a regional forum on sustainable development (RFSD) to discuss progress on the SDGs, review national experiences, and amplify the region’s voice at the July session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The Forum also served as a regional platform to discuss regional priorities and implementation of the Pact for the Future.

Held under the theme ‘Restoring Hope, Raising Ambition,’ the Forum brought together governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to assess progress made towards the SDGs in the region and propose solutions to accelerate their implementation.

In his opening remarks, Lebanon’s Minister for Administrative Reform Fadi Makki emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between ministries and sectors to advance sustainable development. He underscored the need to strengthen effective partnerships that drive economic growth and contribute to building inclusive and resilient economies.

League of Arab States (LAS) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said conflict and instability in the region are “hindering governments’ ability to strike the necessary balance between economic growth, the preservation of natural resources, and the pursuit of social justice.” Yet, he said sustainable development “is not a matter of choice [but]… an existential necessity.” “We must work together, with a sense of responsibility and solidarity, to transform the 2030 Agenda into a reality that upholds the dignity of the Arab people and safeguards the rights of future generations,” he urged.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning of Iraq and Chair of the Forum Muhammad Ali Tamim called for stronger partnerships, the activation of national mechanisms for sustainable development, the closing of data gaps, and coherent, inclusive, and evidence-based policies grounded in science and research.

ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti said “despite the threats facing international cooperation and the rapid transformations reshaping our world,” hope can be restored through action, accountability, and justice. “Elevating ambition requires us to change how we think and operate at both governmental and institutional levels,” she underscored.

Discussions during the Forum drew from the 2025 SDG progress report for the Arab region, the first edition of a “gender snapshot,” and papers on financial inclusion and meaningful voluntary national reviews (VNRs) of countries in conflict.

Organized by ESCWA, in collaboration with the LAS and UN entities operating in the Arab countries, the 2025 Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD) convened from 14-16 April in Beirut, Lebanon. The Arab RFSD is one of five RFSDs whose outcomes contribute to the July session of the HLPF.

HLPF 2025 will carry out in-depth reviews of five SDGs – SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 14 (life below water), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals). Thirty-seven countries will present VNRs of their implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the national level. [AFSD 2025] [ESCWA Press Release]