aug-2015 the matrix of activities within the framework … · 2015-12-09 · 2014 -2016 las...

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Aug-2015 FOLLOW UP ON

THE MATRIX OF ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE UN-LAS COLLABORATION Geneva, 17-19 June 2014

ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENT ISSUES

OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES/ PROJECTS

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Enhance cooperation on regional trade integration

Commence the Implementation of the project on “Aid for Trade Initiative for the Arab States”.

PAFTA Technical Secretariat, AIDMO

UNDP, UNCTAD, ILO, ITC, UNIDO,

2014-2016 LAS participated in the 3rd meeting of the Board of Aid for Trade initiative for Arab States (AfTIAS), which was held on 4 – 5/12/ 2014 in Jeddah(enclosed report of the meeting) The AfTIAS Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and UN Agencies made presentations on the Implementation of their respective projects approved under the Fast Track Program for 2014. Detailed information could be found in the attached progress report The said progress report is comprised of the following projects: - Skills for Trade and Economic diversification

(STED), implemented by ILO. - Enhanced performance of border control

management at selected border posts of Egypt and Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan (by UNDP).

- Capacity of the League of Arab States (LAS) to promote regional trade integration strengthened (by UNDP).

- Knowledge by key stakeholders (private sector, public sector and civil society) of existing NTMs and impact on regional trade enhanced, and action plan developed to eliminate such obstacles (by ITC).

- Capacity building and assistance to Comoros and

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Sudan in acceding to the WTO (by UNCTAD). - Efforts have been accomplished within multiple

tracks to develop the proper integrated framework that meets the requirements for the PAN Arab Free Trade Area; most importantly the focus on non-tariff barriers. Accordingly, a consultative meeting was held on Feb. 18,2015 between the General Secretariat represented by the Arab Economic Integration Department, AIDMO and its specialized organ; the Standards and Metrology Centre and the executive partner of international expertise represented by UNIDO, and the Swedish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (SIDA). The meeting tackled means to channel efforts towards supporting the Arab goods quality pillars and means to overcome the technical obstacles by seeking improvement of mutual recognition of certificates of conformity in order to improve quality standards in the Arab region and the world, through rehabilitation and establishment of national and regional institutions that carry out their role in trade flow and achieving communication networks in the public and private sectors. Hence, the Arab Accreditation Centre (ARAC) was created as an independent body responsible for coordination of all areas of quality infrastructure of national institutions in the Arab States Members of the Pan Arab Free Trade Area and the outer Arab region. This body was established in 2011 and from its inception to date it has sought to improve its expertise and that of

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the Arab national institutions to achieve the above mentioned goals.

- The Arab Economic Integration Department has also initiated provision of development programmes that have been tailored through specialized international channels represented by UNDP, its permanent expert to the headquarters of the League’s Secretariat, in addition to follow up on implementation of the resolutions issued by the Arab Summits, the Economic and Social Development Summits and the Economic and Social Council, the submission of proposals on the development and instigation of its role through human capacity and training support programmes for the Technical Secretariat staff, the Arab national working groups in general and the least developed Arab States Members of the Pan Arab Free Trade Area that are consistent with Aid for Trade framework.

- The Department has continued to pursue its efforts to seek international donors that support and finance the regional integration projects, as SIDA is considered the primary sponsor and supporter of the development of quality infrastructure systems and food safety in the Arab States, the recruitment of specialized international expertise in this area represented by UNIDO, and the Arab League specialized Agency in this field, which is AIDMO, with an aim to coordinate the technical barriers and the Arab standard characterization, to improve the agreements on mutual recognition of

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certificates of conformity collectively by improving the Arab national accreditation bodies through ARAC on the inter-Arab level and also seek to bridge gaps through regional coordination as one of the pillars of quality infrastructure for the Arab region, following the approval of the Economic and Social Council to these efforts in its 95th Session.

- Initiate implementation of the "Aid for Trade for the Arab States Initiative": the Technical Secretariat of the Pan Arab Free Trade Area cooperates with the UNCTAD, UNIDO and the World Trade Centre in implementation of the following projects under the above mentioned initiative:

• Support implementation of the technical twinning project between Palestine and Tunisia in areas of mutual accreditation and recognition (UNIDO).

• Support integration of Yemen as a full member in the Gulf Standardization Organization (UNIDO).

• Support Sudan and Comoros in the development of their quality national policies and programmes.

• Support small and medium enterprises in the Gulf Cooperation Council to participate and benefit from the national and regional quality infrastructure services (UNIDO).

• Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED), which is being implemented by the International Labor Organization.

• Improved action by the management of borders control at border areas, selected from Egypt,

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Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan (UNDP). • Capacity building of the League of Arab States

(LAS) in areas of regional trade integration enhancement (UNDP).

• Key stakeholders know-how (private and public sectors, and civil society) to monitoring current nuclear tests and their impact on regional trade, and set up an action plan for the elimination of these obstacles (ITC).

• Capacity building and assistance for Comoros and Sudan for their accession to the World Trade Organization (UNCTAD).

- A workshop shall be organized to set up regional visions and to rehabilitate an integrated regional working group that includes stakeholders in order to ensure achievement of the desired goals.

- The Development Programme for Quality and Food Safety Infrastructure in the PAN Arab Free Trade Area was launched in cooperation with UNIDO; the executive partner of international expertise in this area, and AIDMO; the Arab League Specialized Agency in this area, funded by SIDA at the 95th Session of the Economic and Social Council. Two committees were established to run the Project: a Steering Committee headed by the League of Arab States, represented by Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs, and an Executive Committee headed by Director-General of AIDMO.

Organizing forums and conducting

PAFTA Technical

UNECA, ESCWA

2014-2016

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studies related in the following areas : trade facilitation, prospects of Regional Trade Integration, supporting countries in the accession process to WTO; providing capacity building in trade related issues targeting LDCs; formulating a work plan to enhance investment climate

Secretariat

Enhancement of regional trade capacities in food through a harmonized regional conformity assessment and food safety systems.

LAS, AIDMO, AOAD

UNIDO, FAO

2015 AIDMO, AOAD and UNIDO are cooperating in the area of capacity building for Arab states through enhancing Arab trade capabilities in food Safety systems and conformity assessment.

Enhancing the role of SMEs in economic and social development

AIDMO

UNIDO, UNECA

2014-2016

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in the Arab states Enhancing cooperation between LAS and UN in support of economic stabilization and growth efforts in the Arab Countries, particularly in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

Providing financial and technical assistance to Arab Countries in transition to complete their transformations and strengthen their institution.

AMF

IMF & World Bank, Other interested UN agencies

2015 AMF: preparations for conducting consultation and coordination on issues of mutual interest is being carried on.

Enhance cooperation in the following areas : electricity, renewable energy and energy Efficiency

Organizing forums and conducting studies related in the following areas: electricity, renewable energy and energy Efficiency

AMCE

ESCWA, UNIDO, IEA , World Bank

2015-2016 In the context of the existing cooperation between the League of Arab States, represented by the Energy Department (the Secretariat of the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity) and the United Nations, through its different organizations and committees; i.e. ESCWA, UNIDO and UNEP, the Secretariat of the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity organized many events and joint activities including the following: • The Second Arab Forum for Renewable Energy

and Energy Efficiency was held in El Gouna-Egypt on 18-19/06/2014, under the theme “Enhancing the Role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Promoting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Arab Region“, in collaboration with ESCWA. Over 300 dignitaries, science researchers, heads and

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representatives of companies, institutions and research centers in areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency participated in this Forum, on one hand, and small and medium enterprises representing 40 countries and 25 Arab and international organizations on the other hand. The Forum explored the role that SMEs can play in dissemination of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Arab region, technical, institutional, financial and legislative mechanisms required to encourage and strengthen the role of SMEs in these fields and allowing effective contribution of SMEs to sustainable development in the Arab region. The Forum also created a regional dialogue among the concerned stakeholders to discuss the current situation and future perspectives of SMEs working in areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Arab region, particularly in rural and remote areas and the necessary means to enhance their engagement in achieving the agenda of "Sustainable Energy for All".

• A workshop on "Advancing investments in energy efficiency” was organized in El-Gouna on 19-20/06/2014 in collaboration with ESCWA.

• A consultative workshop on "Localizing the Value Chain for the Manufacturing of Clean Energy Technologies in the Arab Region” was held in El Gouna on 20/06/2014 in collaboration with UNIDO.

• A seminar on "Environmental Situation in the

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Electricity Sector in the Arab Countries: a Future Outlook" was held in collaboration with ESCWA, in Sharm el-Sheikh-Egypt on 15-16/10/2014, to analyze the current environment situation in the Arab States and explore the prospect of possible environmental improvements in order to achieve environmentally secured future in the production, transmission and distribution of electric energy in the Arab States. Thirty-three participants attended the Seminar ranging from experts, specialists, researchers in the area of electricity and environment at the ministries concerned with environment, to research centers, universities and relevant regional organizations. Fifteen technical papers were examined by the Seminar.

• A training session was organized in collaboration with UNEP to trigger enforcement of the Arab Project for certification to solar thermal systems (SHAMCI) in Tunisia during the period 15-19/12/2014, and attended by representatives from six Arab States. The training session focused on discussion of the project enforcement mechanisms at the national level in the Arab States.

• The Fifth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development was held in collaboration with ESCWA in Tunisia during the period 4-7/11/2014 and was organized by the five UN Committees responsible for economic and social development in Western Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and East Asia. The Forum presented the Arab Strategy for Renewable Energy

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as a major guide for the Arab region in the area of renewable energy development.

• A training programme was organized in collaboration with ESCWA, on Energy efficiency in the construction sector in Granada during the period 6-10/04/2015 targeting policy makers, planners and senior professionals who are engaged in drafting and implementing and planning strategies and energy efficiency in the construction sector. Thirty experts participated in the programme representing 12 Arab States, many organizations and bodies interested in energy efficiency on the Arab and international levels. The main goal of the programme was exchange of expertise and transfer of knowledge on the different means of increasing the efficiency of energy use in buildings in terms of planning, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation to the Arab States, in addition to enhancing enforcement of energy efficiency laws in buildings and energy efficiency measures included in the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAP).

• Participating and intervening at the Vienna Energy Forum held in collaboration with UNIDO in Vienna during the period 18-20/06/2015.

Enhancing cooperation in the field of ICT

4th Arab Forum: e-transaction Security & the PKI

AICTO UNCTAD, ITU

23/9/2014 − For the last decade ITU, ESCWA, AICTO and UPU have been observing members in the meetings of the Arab Telecommunications and Information Council of Ministers and all following structure of technical committees and specialized

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teams. − AICTO held a symposium on 23/9/2014focused on

the public key structure in the Arab and African countries, the latest solutions and services, the safety of electronic exchanges, legal and regulatory frameworks in the Arab and African countries. A round table on launching the Arab-African Forum Structure of Public Key: Towards Effective Arab-African Partnership.

Arab Regional Initiative for Internet Governance Annual Arab Internet Governance Forum

LAS ESCWA 2010 2012-ongoing

Within the framework of the Arab Regional Initiative for Internet Governance, an Arab forum for internet governance is annually held since 2012 under the joint umbrella of LAS and ESCWA

Regional Forum for Digital Arab Content

LAS AICTO

ITU ESCWA

2013-ongoing

2 regional forums for digital Arab content were hosted in Cairo by Egyptian Ministry for Information and Communication Technologies in 2013 and 2014, held under the umbrella of LAS and organized in partnership with ITU, ESCWA and AICTO. The forum will be hosted in 2015 in Dubai by the Emirati TRA and currently LAS is putting the framework for the forum to be regularly held once every year.

Arab TLDs Project LAS ITU ESCWA

2007-ongoing

Since the early phase of setting up the Arab TLDs project, ITU and ESCWA have been important partners in all different phases and are currently chosen helping members in the Arab TLDs Steering Committee responsible for all technical aspects of

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the project.

Arab Regional Development Plan for Postal Services 2013-2016

LAS UPU 2013-ongoing

The UPU is closely supporting LAS bodies in implementing the Arab Regional Development Plan for Postal Services 2013-2016

International Conference : «ICT Applications in Agriculture»

ACSAD, AICTO, AOAD

FAO, ITU

18 /12/ 2014 Work is underway

To streamline Arab statistics with UN statistics

Prospecting LAS ESCWA, UNECA, UN-WTO

2015-2016

Improvement & dissemination of Arab Agricultural Statistics

Exchange of data, Accessibility to data bases, training and exchange of statistical packages

AOAD FAO, UNCTAD, ESCWA, UNECA

2015 A meeting was held between AOAD and FAO Om 19/2/2015 to enhance cooperation in this regard. It was agreed to cooperate on serval projects among which is training and capacity building.

Improved data, information and assessment for decision-making

Establish a knowledge sharing network between LAS general secretary and specialized organizations and the United Nations System

LAS, Arab specialized organizations

FAO, UNEP, UNDP, UNU-INWEH, UNIDO, UNESCO, ESCWA, UNISDR, UN-WTO,

2014-2015 The first meeting of the task force concerned with the development of civil registration and vital statistics in the Arab States was held at the Secretariat General headquarters during the period 20-22/05/2014, and jointly organized with the Regional Office of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean. Individuals concerned with civil registration and vital statistics in statistics agencies, Ministries of Health and Interior in 14 Arab States, the Technical Secretariat

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UNECA of the Council of Arab Ministers of Health and the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers of Interior, in addition to a number of relevant international and regional organizations participated in this meeting. A number of recommendations constituted the outcome of the meeting seeking enhancement and development of civil registration and vital statistics systems in the Arab States.

Support the preparation of the Second Environment outlook

CAMRE, AOAD, ACSAD

UNEP, UNECA, UNIDO

2015-2016 − UNEP is proceeding with the development of the Sixth Report of the Global Environment Outlook (GE0-6) to be released in 2018. (GE0-6) is the integrated environmental assessment that helps environmental decision-making process and aims to inform governments and stakeholders of the status of global environment. The Conference of the Arab Region Environmental Information Network (AREIN) and the First Regional GEO-6 Authors’ meeting were held in Amman-Jordan during the period 10-14/4/2015.

− Follow up on implementation of the Secretariat General’s proposal on establishing a coordination mechanism between the UN and other regional and international organizations acting in the Arab region in order to ensure effective action to achieve the Arab strategies and avoid duplication at the implementation process. In cooperation with Food and Agriculture Organization, the Secretariat General organized an unofficial brainstorming meeting at the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (FAO-RNE), with a number of

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the Arab League partner organizations, including FAO, ESCWA, UNDP, UNEP, WFP, UNISDR, the World Meteorological Organization, GIZ, AWC, and Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative. It was agreed to continue dialogue and coordination towards establishing a round-table coordination format. It was also agreed that FAO will host the Regional Knowledge Hub of the Secretariat General of the Arab League and its partners.

The development of an Arab Environmental Information Network

CAMRE

UNEP, ESCWA

2015-2016 Work is underway

Enhancing cooperation in various aspects in the field of intellectual property

Organizing workshops on IP and technology management for universities and R&D institutions

IP Dept. AICTO, ALECSO, AOAD

ESCWA, WIPO, FAO, UNESCO, ITU

October 2014

− There is on going activity between WIPO and LAS since 2000 when MOU has been signed between two organizations. WIPO and LAS cooperation project is a huge success ( no obstacles are facing the implementation of the cooperation project)

− In collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Intellectual Property and Competitiveness Department organized a workshop on promoting respect for intellectual property rights at the Secretariat General on 26-27/5/2015, during which the following issues were discussed: • Counterfeiting and Piracy: Assessment and

perspective of the public and private sectors • Display and discussion of the cartoon film

Innovation and entrepreneurship for sustainable development

IP Dept. , AOAD, ACSAD, AIDMO, ALO

ESCWA, WIPO, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UNEP, UNESCO, UNHABITAT

2015-2016

organizing a coordination

IP Dept. & heads of IP offices in

WIPO 2015-2016

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meeting for the heads of intellectual property offices in the Arab countries,

the Arab countries,ALECSO

produced by the World Intellectual Property Organization and the League of Arab States

• Building respect for intellectual property "national practices" and the South Africa experience.

Annual consultation meeting, specialized workshops and seminars in the different fields of IP are being co-organized by our respective organizations for the Arab countries.

IP Dept , AOAD, AIDMO, ASBU, ALECSO

WIPO

2014-2016

Enhancing sustainable tourism development

Enhance cooperation on sustainable tourism

Arab Tourism Board

UNWTO, UNEP, UNDP, ILO, UNIDO, UNESCO, UNHCR

2015 − Te Technical Secretariat of Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism will present the topic for the Ministerial Council in the next Session

− The General Secretariat participated in the 40th meeting of the World Tourism Organization for the Middle East and the Ministerial Forum on "Inter-Arab Tourism Development: "Facing the Challenges and Seizing the Opportunities" in Dubai on 5/5/2015 under the auspices of HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, President of the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities. The Forum tackled the importance of joint action in areas of Arab tourism coordination, the need for political will, encouraging the public

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and private sectors partnership, investment in tourism industry, addressing visa problems, seek coordination of opening-up policies, exchange of expertise and best practices and setting up a roadmap for the implementation of strategies, action plans and objectives.

− The Arab Tourism Organization organized several seminars in this regard in collaboration with the Union of Arab Scientific Research. A seminar under the title "Economic and Social Horizons in the Arab World" was organized together with other several seminars with the Arab Academy for Science- Productivity and Quality Institute. An agreement on joint cooperation with World Tourism Organization was signed to support the tourism sector in the Arab region and the development of plans and programmes that serve this industry.

Enhancing agricultural approaches and food use for sustainable food security

Conduct joint training activities on the following related fields agriculture, trade and investment within the context of the Joint Action Plan on Agricultural Development and food security in Africa and Arab

CAMRE, AOAD, ACSAD,

UNCTAD, FAO, UNECA, UNIDO

2014-2016 − Upon invitation of FAO-RNE, the Fourth Regional Multi-stakeholder Workshop on Food Security and Nutrition was organized in Amman-Jordan on 28-29/04/2015. Dr. Abdul Salam Ould Ahmed, Assistant Director-General for FAO, Ms. Gerda Verburg, President of the Committee on World Food Security, Representative of Sudan to FAO and Assistant Director-General for World Food Programme for the Middle East and North Africa attended the meeting. The most prominent recommendations was the League of Arab States calling for the convening of the International

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Region (JAP). Committee in Rome in October 2015, and for the approval to launch a new initiative on food security in the region.

− Upon invitation of ESCWA, the General Secretariat participated in the two coordination meetings in Beirut on enhancing food and water security in the Arab region, funded by SIDA to bring together national and regional cooperation on the current and future food security and water situation to meet the growing food needs so as to achieve food security in an environment of water scarcity. However, this requires further regional integration and coordination of regional policies and strategies and their implementation, in addition to assisting the Arab States to achieve the goal of the 1996 World Food Summit to ensure that "all human beings at all times have access both physically and financially to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life." The First Coordination Meeting was held in Beirut on 31/3- 1/4/2015, and the Second Coordination Meeting convened in Beirut on 21-22/5/2015 in which the Secretariat General, the Arab Centre for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, Food and Agriculture Organization, the German Agency for International Cooperation, the American University in Beirut and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) participated in the meeting.

Cooperate in the promotion of inclusive and sustainable agricultural investment in the Arab region

AOAD, ACSAD,

Arab related organizations

UNCTAD, FAO, UNIDO

2014-2015

Cooperate in developing work plans for the reduction of food losses and waste as a means for improving food security.

AOAD, AIDMO, CAMRE

ESCWA, FAO, UNEP, UNIDO, UNESCO, WFP

2014-2015

Joint annual meeting on food security in the context of Arab emergency programme for food security

AOAD, ALECSO

FAO, UNEP, UNDP, ESCWA, UNISDR, UNECA

2014-2015

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Coordinated regional response to Rio+20, post-2015 and the Sustainable Development Goals

Follow up on the outcomes of Rio+20

CAMRE, AOAD, ACSAD, AIDMO, AAEA,

UNEP, UNDP, ESCWA, UNISDR, WMO, FAO, UNHABITAT UNECA, UNESCO, WFP, IOM, UN_WTO, UNIDO

2015-2016 − The General Secretariat participated in a number of meetings on sustainable development organized in cooperation with UNEP/ Regional Office for West Asia.

− Follow up on the implementation of the outcomes of the High-level Arab Forum on Sustainable Development" held in Amman-Jordan during the period 2-4/4/2015.

− The Second Session of the High-level Arab Forum on Sustainable Development held during the period 5-7/5/2015 in Manama was organized under the patronage of H.R.H Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, in the context of the Arab preparation for the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development that was held in New York during the period from 26 June to 8 July 2015 under the theme "Strengthening Integration, Implementation and Review- the HLPF post-2015” to examine the international actions on post-2015 Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

− The Department participated in the High-Level Global Forum held in New York during the period from 26 June to 8 July 2015 during which the Arab League held a side meeting entitled: “the League of Arab States: a Follow-up and Review Platform to Ensure Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab Region”. The Arab Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development was presented and its connection with the Sustainable Development Goals and the

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Arab negotiated position towards the Post-2015 Agenda. The Arab Regional Institutional Framework for Monitoring and Follow-up of post-2015 Sustainable Development was also examined, as well as means to integrate the Arab League’s output in the High-Level Global Forum for Sustainable Development while benefiting from the existing structures at the Arab League as mechanisms for integration, coordination, follow-up and review of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab region. The role of the Arab League and its institutions in supporting Arab negotiators at the United Nations and international conferences, and considering establishment of a mechanism to enhance such cooperation were also discussed.

− The meeting of the Arab Committee on Education for Sustainable Development was held at the Secretariat General headquarters during the period 28-30/7/2015 in coordination with (ALECSO/ UNESCO/ ISESCO) to set up an Arab road map on the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Education Conference for Sustainable Development in line with the priorities of the Arab region, and the activities of the global agenda in the Arab region for the years (2015-2019)

− Follow up on the implementation of the outcomes of the meeting on review of environmental dimensions of the Unified Arab Code for conditioning, refrigeration and central heating,

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held during the period 26-29/4/2015 in Manama-Bahrain, in collaboration with UNEP/Regional Office for West Asia, in order to improve and add relevant variables to the emissions resulting from Freon and its impact on climate change.

− The Department participated in the meeting of "Urgent Development of National Capacities for the management of natural disasters resulting from seasonal floods in (Jordan, Sudan, Egypt and Yemen), organized in coordination with UNESCO (the Regional Office) on 16-17/6/2015 at the UNESCO Regional Office headquarters in Cairo

Use sustainable development indicators for the Arab region (support to national level, as well as regional indicators).

CAMRE, ACSAD, AOAD, JCEDAR,

UNEP, ESCWA, UNDP, UNHABITAT UNECA, UNESCO, UNIDO

2015-2016 Cooperation is being undertaken by both sides in this regard.

Preparation of the Strategic Framework on Sustainable Development for the Arab Region

CAMRE ESCWA, UNEP, UNIDO

2015-2016

Preparation and follow-up are ongoing

Hold an annual Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD)

CAMRE ESCWA, UNEP, UNIDO

2015 - 2016

following-up is underway

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Sustainable Education experiences, exchange and plan of action

CAMRE, ALECSO

UNESCO, UNEP, UNISDR

2015-2016

Cooperation is being undertaken by both sides in this regard

Sustainable water management

Cooperation in the field of Integrated Water Resources Management approaches (including water harvesting), Access to and management of water and sanitation services (UNHABITAT); Building Shared Water Knowledge Management Platform, & Regional Climate change initiative (UNU-INWEH)

AMWC, ACSAD, AOAD, ALECSO

FAO, UNEP, UNDP, WMO, UNESCO, UNISDR, ESCWA, UNHABITAT UNU-INWEH, UNIDO

2015-2016 − Participation in meetings of the Steering

Committee of FAO-RNE. In this regard, two meetings were held on 3/4/2015 to follow up work in the water scarcity initiative, particularly in the area of building regional knowledge database.

− A workshop of the Arab Ministerial Council for Water was organized with the FAO on the guidelines for the use of semi-saline water for agricultural production in Africa and the Near East on 4-5/ 05/2015, with the aim to exchange expertise and best practices relating to the techniques of using salt water. The guidelines for the use of semi-saline water for agricultural production in the Near East and Africa were endorsed at the Forum at which the Arab League presented opening remarks.

Cooperation in the field of Arab Water Security Strategy and Action Plan,

ACSAD, AOAD

FAO, UNEP, UNDP, WMO, ESCWA, WMO,

2015-2016

Cooperation is being undertaken by both sides in this regard

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Cooperation in the field of Access to and management of water and sanitation services (ESCWA, UNHABITAT);

AMWC ESCWA, UNHABITAT

2015-2016

Cooperation is ongoing

Improved data, information and assessment for decision-making

Pilot UNEP Live and SoE (state of Environment) in selected West Asia countries, to be extended then to the rest of the Arab countries.

CAMRE, ACSAD

UNEP 2015-2016

Work plan is underway

Provide capacity building on integrated environmental assessment, providing training tools and materials

CAMRE, AOAD, ACSAD

UNEP 2015

Activities are underway

Follow up the implementation of the initiative of EYE ON EARTH in the Arab Region

CAMRE, (AGIDI), ACSAD

UNEP, UNISDR

2015

following-up is taken

Enhancing cooperation in the area of disaster risk reduction and

Support the implementation of the Arab strategy for disaster risk

CAMRE, Crisis room, ALECSO

UNEP, UNISDR, UNHABITAT IOM

2015-2016 − Follow up of implementation of the outcomes of the Second Arab Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction which was held during the period 14-

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response reduction through collaborating with LAS on advocacy on mobility and disaster risk reduction in order to build the resilience of communities through improved attention to mobile populations and facilitating mobility as a preventive measure and as a response strategy in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action 2 and the upcoming DRR Arab Conference in September 2014.

16/9/2014 in Sharm El-Sheikh-Egypt, under the auspices of HE the Prime Minister, in addition to assessment of implementation of the outcomes of the First Arab Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, which was held in March 2013 in Aqaba-Jordan. The Second Arab Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction provided the opportunity for Arab governments, decision-makers, planners, academics, civil society and development experts to discuss all issues related to disaster risk reduction in the countries of the Arab region, the progress achieved in disaster risk reduction endeavors, review of implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action from 2005 to 2015 in the Arab region, drafting regional priorities for the framework for post 2015 disaster risk reduction.

− Follow up of implementation of the outcomes of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai-Japan during the period 14-18/03/2015, at which the global framework for disaster risk reduction was created for the next fifteen years (2015-2030). The General Secretariat coordinated with the Regional Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction for the Arab States (ROAS) to support the Arab negotiator. Among the events organized by the Secretariat General are the following:

• The Secretariat General participated in the working group which convened in the main hall among speakers on “application of science and technology

Celebration of Arab Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, 21 March

CAMRE UNISDR , all UN partners

Annual – Every 21 March

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in decision-making disaster risk reduction process”, in which the Sendai Framework was reviewed (within the draft) to trigger access to reliable scientifically-based data and information that support decision-making process at the international, regional and national level along with identifying and enhancing the role of academic, science and research institutions and their networks in the executive proceedings on risk reduction. Discussions also included the formation of a follow-up expert working group. The list of speakers included the representative of the Government of Japan, UNESCO, the representative of UNISDR, Science Council of Japan representing Asia, the representative of the African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture representing Africa, the representative of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, the Joint Research Centre of the European Union, and the representative of the United States, in addition to representatives from the international science committees.

• On the sidelines of the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, the Secretariat General organized a seminar with the World Food Programme on "Strengthening capacities for effective risk management and food security in the Arab region" during the discussion on the scientific evidence associated with rapidly changing risks in the Arab region, which will pose extraordinary challenges in achieving food security

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over the coming decades; identify and deepen the inherent risks and vulnerabilities in the region, including the rapid demographical changes, the increasing reliance on food imports, exposure to food price volatilities, as well as drought, land degradation and water scarcity concerns under climate change and their impacts on heightened risks and challenges.

• The General Secretariat participated in a meeting organized by UNISDR with the Royal Society of British Science for various world groups on 24-25/6/2015 in London on preparation for the implementation of Sendai Framework on the role of science and technology in risk reduction. This meeting launched the idea of organizing an international conference on the role of science and technology in risk reduction in February 2016.

• Coordination is ongoing with the Regional Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction for the Arab States (ROAS) to organize a meeting on 9-10/09/2015 to discuss the necessary adjustments for post-Sendai Framework.

• Follow up on implementation of the Secretariat General’s proposal "towards building a geographic information system database to enhance risk flexibility in the Arab region”": in the context of the General Secretariat’s desire to strengthen community partnership and capacity building in the area of disaster risk reduction, a meeting was organized coordinately with the World Food Programme in LAS headquarters in Maadi on

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4/6/2015 to review the proposed project towards building a geographic information system database to enhance risk flexibility in the Arab region and interdependence between water and food and community exposure . The proposal was met with appreciation and desire to support exerted efforts and implementation of a number of actions and activities. It was also agreed to carry out further discussions and interventions by the participants who agreed that the proposal needed to be organized in four major sub elements including scientific knowledge capacity, data, tools and technology, strategies and policies of change under Sendai Framework and working on the regional, national and local levels. A Drafting Task Force was established and agreement was reached on the establishment of the Arab Geographical Information Room (AGIR), which encompasses a distinct technical group in implementation of the Resolution issued by the Arab Ministerial Council for Water. The Room is hosted by the Arab Water Council (AWC). It was also requested that the budgeting of the Room’s needs and requirements is determined for the next 6 months to carry out the proposed activity. The Food and Agriculture Organization, ESCWA, UNDP, WFP, UNISDR, the German International Cooperation (GIZ), the Arab Water Council (AWC), and the International Fund for Pricing Policies, the University of Madrid, CEDARE, ACSAD, Italian CIMA Foundation, Food Organization to Combat Hunger

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participated in the meeting Compliance with Multilateral Environmental Agreements

Organize a capacity building PROGRAM on ABS Protocol on Access And benefit sharing arising form their utilization , and supporting the establishment of Arab Gene Bank and other related mechanisms to preserve genetic diversity and benefit sharing

AOAD, ACSAD, ALECSO

UNEP, FAO

2014 Work is underway

Support the implementation of the MUSCAT Action Plan of RAMSAR convention on the wise use & Management of wetlands in the Arab region

CAMRE, AOAD, ACSAD

UNEP, UNESCO, RAMSAR Secretariat

2015-2016 Work is underway

Support the implementation and capacity building activities

CAMRE UNEP, MEAs Secretariats, UNITAR,

2015-2016 activities and capacity building work plan to be implemented

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to enforce the compliance with different MEAs in cooperation with relevant LAS Technical Teams

UNIDO

Region-wide implementation of sustainable consumption and production approaches and the Green Economy

Implementation of the 10 YFP on SCP including organization of the 4th round-table on SCP

CAMRE UNEP, ESCWA, UNIDO

2014-2016 ongoing

Promote the introduction of the Green Economy concept through specialized studies and consultation functions

CAMRE ESCWA, UNEP, UNIDO, FAO UNECA

2015-2016 cooperation activities are underway

LAS had joined (WIPO Green) it is environmental initiative (Technology Sustainable Market)

IP Dept. AOAD, AIDMO , ALECSO

WIPO, UNEP, UNIDO, UNDP

2014-2015

Support to LAS in the area of climate change negotiations

Organize training workshops for Arab negotiators (especially the

CAMRE ESCWA, UNEP

2015-2020 − Enhance and build regional and national institutional capacity of the Arab States to address climate change and disaster management issues, provide the necessary support and funding for a

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second generation) to develop their negotiating skills and promote their capabilities in coordinating the national and arab positions.

deeper and more comprehensive assessment of the possible impacts of climate change on developing countries, including the Arab States, to identify priorities and implementation of mitigation and adaptation programmes on climate change and impacts of response measures, assist developing countries to diversify their economies in order to strengthen their resilience in facing adverse effects of climate change and response measures.

− Assist the Arab States to achieve a significant, clear, sustainable and predictable increase in funding, technology transfer and capacity building, enhance and support the Arab States capacities in the area of meteorology, support national strategies to combat drought, enhance Arab regional role in implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), and programmes on climate disasters impacts reduction.

− Enhance the Arab States capacities in submission of national reports on national communiqué.

− The Secretariat General participated in the meetings of the Regional Initiative for the Assessment of the Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources and Socio-Economic Vulnerability in the Arab Region (RICCAR).

Facilitate the implementation of the Arab States Climate Change Plan of Action as overall framework

CAMRE, AOAD, ACSAD, ALECSO, Other concerned Arab organizations

UNEP, UNIDO, ESCWA, UNDP, UNISDR, FAO,

2015-2020

Coordination and following-up activities are ongoing to activate the means of implementation

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for the work on climate Change in the region.

Regional initiative for the assessment of the impact of climate change on water resources and socio-economic vulnerability in the Arab region (RICCAR)

LAS, ACSAD, AOAD, ALECSO

UNDP, ESCWA, UNEP, UNESCO, UNISDR, FAO, WMO, UNECA, UNU-INWEH

22015

implementation is underway

Support deliberations on the set-up of Regional Climate Outlook Forum for the Arab Region

Arab PCM ESCWA WMO UNEP, FAO

2015-2016 Cooperation is ongoing

Adaptation to the climate change in the water sector with MENA region

AMWC, ACSAD

ESCWA, UNEP, UNDP UNECA, UNIDO

2015-2016 Cooperation is ongoing and implementing steps is underway

Support for the Preparation of the Climate Change Summit envisaged in September 2014 and its preparatory meetings

CAMRE

UNEP, ESCWA, UNISDR, UNDP, UNFCCC

2014 Completed

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Enhancing action on Water, Energy and Food linkages

Water Energy Food Nexus in the Arab Region

CAMRE LAS/RECREE, AOAD, ALECSO

UNEP, ESCWA, FAO

2014-2015

Coordination is ongoing

Enhancing action on environment and health linkages

Establishment of a Joint Arab Ministerial Forum on Environment and Health

LAS WHO, UNEP

2015 -2016

Coordination is ongoing

- Monitor and manage drought risk reduction

.Deepen the knowledge to the level of villages and provinces on the agricultural drought hazard.

- Identify drought management work plans to mitigate the risks to the economic and environmental stability in rural & urban areas

- Better understanding the combined effect of drought and land degradation and their economic risk losses. Building the

ACSAD, Crisis room

UNDP, UNISDR, IFAD, WMO

2014 Coordination is ongoing

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understanding of the impact of drought on communities’ displacement, migration and increased conflicts.

Capacity building for improving desertification monitoring and combat in Arab countries.

-

- Enhance the institutional capacities related to natural resources management.

- Strengthen the capability of the concerned institutions to improve the implementation of UNCCD activities.

- To facilitate the use of the basic statistical information needed for policy planning purpose pertaining to desertification drought and land

ACSAD UNEP , FAO, UNISDR, UNECA

2015

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degradation. Implementation of natural resources conservation campaigns.

Dust / Sand storms monitoring and combating

- Building Regional dust / sand storms Monitoring System

- Mitigate dust / sand storms and sand encroachment

- Encourage related scientific activities impacts

- Establishment of related network in the Arab region

CAMRE, ACSAD, Other concerned Arab Organizations

WMO, UNEP, WHO, UNISDR

2014-2016

New Activities: Enhance cooperation in the field of Transport

- comply with the international standards for the International system of road transport

- calling on the Arab States to set up a professional training system for the workforce of the road transport sector.

LAS ESCWA IRU

ongoing − A joint meeting was held between the General Secretariat and ESCWA was held in Beirut on 24-

25/9/2014. The meeting aimed to discuss means of cooperation and coordination between the Transport and Tourism Department at the Economic Sector and ESCWA on all the issues related to Arab transport, following the accession of 17 Arab States to ESCWA, and update the MOU between the two sides.

− The General Secretariat participated in The Fifth Annual Forum of the International Federation of

Road Transport (IRU) which was held in Alexandria

on 19/10/2014. One of the most important

recommendations of the Forum was the call on

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the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport for

further development of the Arab transport

agreements in partnership with the International

Union (IRU) to comply with the international

standards for the International system of road

transport, and calling on the Arab States to set up

a professional training system for the workforce of

the road transport sector.

− The Secretariat General participated in the 15th meeting of the ESCWA Transport Committee in Rabat on 27-28/1/2015, which reviewed follow-up procedures on the Land linkage project between

the Arab States. Enhance cooperation in the field of Human Settlements

- Encourage related scientific activities impacts

- Establishment of related network in the Arab region

LAS United Nations Human Settlements Programme

ongoing − Follow up on the implementation of the outcomes of the consultative meeting between the General Secretariat and United Nations Human Settlements Programme to coordinate on the First Arab Ministerial Forum of Housing and Urban

Development and the Arab Strategy for Urban

Development and Sustainable Housing held at the

Secretariat General on 27/4/2015.

− In cooperation with the United Nations Human

Settlements Programme/Cairo Regional Office,

the Housing and Urban Development Division is

proceeding with the drafting of the Arab Strategy

of Housing and Urban Sustainable Development

2030.

− Furthermore and in collaboration with the United

Nations Human Settlements Programme/Cairo

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Regional Office, the Technical Secretariat of the

Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Construction, is working on the preparation and organization of the First Arab Ministerial Forum of Housing and Urban Development, which will take place in Cairo in 2015.

− The Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Construction is also preparing the Arab Regional Report of the Third Habitat, in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme/Cairo Regional Office.

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