FfD4: Strategies for Civil Society Engagement in the MENA Region – Join the FfD MENA Coalition

The global economic situation remains precarious, with rising inequalities, unsustainable debt levels, and persistent economic shocks hindering progress toward sustainable development. The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with geopolitical tensions and climate-related disruptions, has exacerbated vulnerabilities in both developing and developed countries. Many governments are struggling to manage escalating debt burdens, leading to austerity measures that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The global financial architecture driving these dynamics is increasingly being scrutinized for its neo-colonial nature and role in deepening inequality, undermining human rights, and limiting countries’ policy space to pursue equitable development strategies.

The MENA region, along with the different countries of the Global South is facing its own set of unique economic and social challenges. Histories of colonization, centuries of imperialism, and years of conflict, political instability, and structural inequalities have led to rising poverty levels, weakened public services, and entrenched gender disparities. The region suffers from high unemployment rates, particularly among women and youth, coupled with limited access to financial resources and opportunities. Furthermore, the dominance of patriarchal systems and restrictive socio-economic policies has perpetuated discrimination and hindered efforts toward gender equality.

The Financing for Development (FfD) process is a critical global framework guiding discussions on how financial resources can be mobilized to achieve sustainable development goals, including tackling inequalities and ensuring economic justice. Since the inception of FfD, it has provided a vital space for states, international organizations, and civil society to engage in shaping global financial systems that influence national policies and development outcomes. The third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD3) held in Addis Ababa in 2015 resulted in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), which laid down comprehensive commitments to financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Despite those commitments, challenges remain, particularly in MENA.

In this complex environment, the FfD process holds significant relevance for the region, offering opportunities for civil society, especially feminist movements, to advocate for economic policies that center gender justice and inclusive development. However, engagement from the MENA region in global financing discussions has been limited, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to build awareness and capacity among civil society actors in the region.