Sustainable Development in the MENA Region

MENARA Future Notes No. 20 (March 2019)

In the MENA region, the realization of the United Nations General Assembly’s SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) is limited and slow. The priorities given to the seventeen SDGs differ significantly across the region due to the specific needs and situations of each country. Positive changes can be observed, for example for renewable energy, while other important goals remain unattained. Conflicts present a major obstacle for advancement. One step forward would be to establish institutions to concentrate efforts and mobilize action within all segments of society. The EU could support such developments by enhancing peer-to-peer contacts and cooperation.