Innovation Policy for inclusive Sustainable Development in the Arab Region
This study aims at providing Arab countries with a comprehensive framework to formulate Innovation Policy that supports economic growth and contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Development Agenda. The targeted audience is high and middle level policymakers involved in the elaboration, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of innovation policies and strategies. It also targets other stakeholders (firms, universities and education institutions, research centres, and broader economic and social actors) involved in the implementation of innovation policies. This study relies on the internationally recognized frameworks, experience and best practices of developed countries and emerging economies, who managed to elaborate successful catch up strategies and reached technological and related social development levels comparable to advanced countries. The study also takes into account the status of innovation in the Arab countries and proposes framework that address the challenges of the national innovation systems in the Arab region. Furthermore, it discusses how Innovation Policies in the Arab region should be adapted to contribute to the fulfilment of the 2030 Development Agenda SDGs. Furthermore, the study presents how Innovation Policies could support specific issues of sustainable development that are of particular importance to Arab countries; as example: youth employment, climate change and social innovation. Readers should note that ESCWA will publish in the coming years series of reports that will show the role of innovation in specific sectors and particular SDGs.
