UN Policy Brief.
July 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed fault lines, fissures and fragilities in societies and economies around the world – and the Arab region is no exception. The region is blessed with tremendous diversity and potential. Yet all Arab countries – whether oil-rich, middle-income or least developed – face difficulties in responding. The regional economy has suffered multiple shocks — from the virus as well as the sharp drop in oil prices, remittances and tourism. Economic forecasts stand at 50-year lows. With millions more pushed down the economic ladder, fully one-quarter of the Arab population may live in poverty. In a region already rife with tensions and inequalities, this will have profound consequences on political and social stability. But the COVID-19 pandemic can also be a moment for resolving long-standing conflicts and addressing structural weaknesses. Four sets of priorities can guide the response to build back better and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
See more