What: Over the past few years, the Arab region has faced multiple, interconnected and overlapping crises-conflict, economic stagnation, climate shocks, and social instability-all of which have exacerbated existing inequalities and created new ones. In this context, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is holding the Fourth Arab Forum for Equality (AFE-2025), in partnership with the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family and Women's Affairs in Algeria, and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies at New York University, the Friedrich Ebert-Stiftung, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, the Institute for Middle East Studies at George Washington University, and Social Protection for Women in the MENA Region (Hiya-MENA).
When: Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 June, at 9:00 a.m. Algiers time.
Where: Algiers International Convention Centre - Abdellatif Rahal in Algiers
Who: The opening session will feature opening remarks by:
- Mr. Nadir Larbaoui, Prime Minister of Algeria;
- Ms. Rola Dashti, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA.
Participants will include ministers, representatives of regional organizations, civil society networks, young people, academic institutions, international think tanks, and UN agencies operating in the region.
Why: The Fourth Arab Forum for Equality will highlight the capacity of social protection systems to address key inequalities and showcase how countries from the Arab region and beyond have managed to strengthen their national social protection systems to reduce the inequality gap. The Forum will present international experiences and best practices, including experiences from Asian and Latin American countries, in introducing a comprehensive and universal coverage of social protection programmes.
For the agenda and more details, click here.
The ESCWA Communication Unit kindly asks media representatives wishing to cover this event to confirm their attendance to:
