ESCWA Policy Briefs

Critical raw materials form the foundation of modern technologies powering energy transition, digital infrastructure, and strategic industries. The secure, sustainable and equitable production of these materials is an urgent international priority. This policy brief presents best practices for sustainable production of critical raw materials through six core pillars: policy and regulatory frameworks, technological innovation, value chain optimization, circular economy strategies, capacity-building and social inclusion, and sustainable financing mechanisms. Through effective governance, resource production should align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and strengthen long-term climate resilience.

Thirty years after the Copenhagen Declaration’s landmark commitments to eradicate poverty, promote full and productive employment, and foster social integration, the Arab region remains at a crossroads. Despite progress in health, education, and infrastructure, deep inequalities, fragile governance, widespread informality, environmental degradation, and ongoing conflicts continue to define daily life for millions. Rising climate stresses, shrinking civic space, and the digital divide compound these challenges, underscoring the urgency for a new, justice-driven approach to sustainable development. With the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) approaching, the region’s experiences and perspectives hold critical relevance for shaping a more inclusive global agenda. This policy brief distills the insights of the Arab regional consultation convened in May 2025 by ESCWA and UNRISD, which gathered voices from across civil society, academia, and policy circles. It outlines the main challenges facing the region while highlighting the participants’ shared call for a values-based social contract grounded in dignity, equality, and ecological balance. By presenting priority themes and actionable policy recommendations, the brief offers a compelling regional vision to inform the WSSD deliberations. It calls on the summit to move beyond symbolic declarations toward transformative action capable of addressing structural injustices and fostering genuine peace, inclusion, and sustainability.

The migration-development nexus has witnessed increasing attention in recent years, both globally and regionally, reflecting the profound impact that population movements have on both countries of origin and of destination, both within and beyond the region. The 2024 edition of the Situation Report on International Migration in the Arab Region examines the critical nexus of migration and development in a region undergoing transformative demographic, economic, social and technological shifts. It offers an analysis of migration trends, challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the dual role of migration as both a driver and a product of development. Key insights highlight the potential of migration to contribute positively to host societies and countries of origin. Migrants bring valuable skills, knowledge and cultural diversity, while remittances support families, reduce poverty, and spur economic growth. However, achieving these outcomes requires policies that safeguard migrants’ rights and maximize their contributions to development. Regional cooperation is also essential, as the interconnected nature of Arab countries means migration policies in one country can significantly affect neighbouring nations. The present report provides a road map to harness migration’s potential, while addressing its challenges. By adopting a holistic and forward-looking approach, the Arab region can position migration as a source of strength, resilience and shared prosperity.

This policy brief examines recent United States tariff shockwaves and the 90-day tariff pause, highlighting both direct impacts – particularly on Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia – and indirect spillovers through weaker demand from China and the European Union, and falling oil prices. Preliminary estimates for 2025 suggest moderate macroeconomic effects for the Agadir Agreement countries and limited impacts for the Gulf Cooperation Council economies. The brief underscores rising fiscal vulnerabilities and calls upon Arab States to strengthen regional integration, diversify trade and engage with the United States to enhance economic resilience.

The Arab region comprises 22 countries with considerable social, economic, political, cultural and geographic diversity. This diversity is further reflected in the region’s demographic profile, with countries at different stages in the demographic transition, which is characterized by a shift from high levels of fertility and mortality to low levels, largely attributed to advances in healthcare, education and economic development. This statistical brief outlines the Arab region’s demographic profile, highlighting notable similarities and differences among the 22 countries today. The brief further highlights demographic trends that the region has experienced since 1950, such as the overall decrease in fertility and decrease in infant mortality rates, as well as the significant gains in life expectancy, and considers how these trends compare to other regions of the world. Finally, the policy implications of demographic change are explored.

This policy brief examines the evolving landscape of green jobs in the Arab region, drawing on real-time data from the ESCWA Skills Monitor to identify trends, gaps and opportunities. Despite global momentum, green jobs account for just 5.06 per cent of online job postings in the Arab region as of 2024, with the highest concentrations observed in larger economies such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. This policy brief takes a closer look at the oil and gas sector to assess the extent of its transition toward sustainability. Findings show that 23 per cent of jobs within the sector are now classified as green, signalling early signs of greening in one of the region’s most carbon-intensive industries. However, there remains a disconnect between occupations with high green alignment and those in high demand. Policies that scale up green investment, embed sustainability in education and workforce systems, and enhance labour market intelligence are needed to guide a just and inclusive green transition.

This policy brief explores differences in skills requirements in job roles in Qatar and Tunisia. In Qatar, jobs tend to require specialized, industry-aligned skills; in Tunisia, employers tend to place greater emphasis on cross-functional competencies. High unemployment in Tunisia, particularly among graduates, drives skilled workers to Qatar, many of whom take skilled jobs in the ICT, healthcare, education and administration sectors. The brief recommends targeted pre-migration training, cross-national certifications, and partnerships with Qatari employers to address skill gaps. It also calls for Tunisia to establish skills repatriation programmes to help it to make the best possible use of returning migrants’ expertise in developing the local work force. These strategies, if implemented, could contribute to enhancing Tunisian migrant workers’ employability abroad while fostering economic growth in their home country.