Articles

2019-10-24

Sustainable Development in the Arab Region: Challenges and Outlooks

The Arab States have a lot in common, but also face common challenges to the development process. These challenges are represented in the four circles of disadvantage: economic, social and political deprivation and instability in water, energy and the environment according to the United Nations Development Program report for the year 2012. These challenges became more severe after the Arab revolutions due to the security vacuum, economic reversals, changes in the balance of regional power and the international interventions in the Territory's affairs to exploit its resources, to the limit it became common among observers and analysts that the Arab region and perhaps the Middle East as a whole will never be the same again. Some studies predict the future of the Middle East region, especially the Arab region, in three scenarios until 2025: First scenario: the persistence of the current situation, where most of the Arab States face serious challenges until 2025 in terms of the declining economy, increasing youth unemployment, lack of political participation and the continuity of terrorist threats, violence and conflicts, having protractive nature in some countries. This will keep the region caught in the trap of conflicts, and will cause postponement of reforms due to security reasons, which in its turn will not only impede the regional integration but also the region's substantive economic development as a whole. Thus, the Arab region had lost a decade without any progress, particularly in eliminating violence and restoring stability, despite the attempt to avoid a total collapse. Second scenario: internal reversal or explosion, as the Arab world conditions are declining on several fronts. The efforts are focused primarily on combating terrorism at all costs. Moreover, the Arab States neglect the implementation of the reforms that will aid economic development and growth and promote stability. There will be a combination of insecurity, instability and unsustainable subsidies, rising food prices, which will lead to economic paralysis for most Arab States, and a widespread unrest. However, the third scenario is about moving forward and making an Arab leap through development and economic, social and security cooperation, as a way to find solutions to all crises if Arab countries wish to achieve progress and a better future. The development intended here is not the development in its traditional concept, because what the Arab States need today is not just to promote their natural and human resources to achieve a radical, qualitative and structural change in the surrounding environment in various political, economic and social dimensions, but they need the sustainable development that works to meet the needs of present generations without depriving future generations of their right to get their needs or resources, or without affecting their environment. In other words, to reconcile a sustainable, social and economic development that observes environmental protection, which means integrating the environmental dimension into a development framework that ensures meeting the needs of present and future generations through the rational use of resources by strict scientific and objective planning; that takes into account the social, economic and environmental data of all development programs, bearing in mind the material and human possibilities available and the time required for the achievement, as well as - most importantly - the cultural framework and the privacy of society. To achieve the third scenario, the role of sustainable development and Arab cooperation is highlighted as one of the most important ways to save the region after all complications experienced. In my estimation, the burden is on the acting countries in the region, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, especially because they have developed visions for sustainable development and are already in the course of their implementation, in addition to visions of important regional institutions such as the African Union and its 2063 Vision, through cooperation to develop a unified strategic vision for sustainable development, future-foresight and quality of life. Despite what the Arab States have faced, they have a strong basis on which they can build for a better future according to United Nations estimates and report on Arab sustainable development in its preliminary edition in 2015. In order to achieve the goal of sustainable development and future foresight, all efforts are to be consolidated and all roles, whether institutional, scientific or research roles, are to be integrated into the design of development programs for critical sectors of strategic importance in the future, starting with studying, planning, and through initiating and implementing, till overcoming challenges that may arise and even achieving innovation and excellence. Moreover, in an era of globalization, people, their governments and continental organizations have no choice but to unite, develop, and improve to cope with the global changes that are taking place in all areas and at all levels. Sustainable development teams, all in government institutions, public sector, private sector and civil society organizations, need to build national capacities, equip them with future skills and familiarize them with their tools for future foresight through the development of distinct future strategies, experiences and services aimed at enabling leaders to develop solutions and initiatives and translating them into concrete realities for making a better future for coming generations. In this context, there is a need for entities of a special nature that are coping with the requirements of the current phase and the overall trend towards development. Therefore, the establishment of the Regional Center for Sustainable Development and Future Foresight Studies is vital because it presents itself as a different and distinct think tank and platform that focuses on contributing to the planning and building of sustainable development programs that involves, as per the Center’s perspective, the three economic, social and environmental dimensions. The Regional Center is an independent scientific training center, comprising experts in science, technology, management and planning, whether they work in Egypt or abroad, to contribute to the promotion and advancement of knowledge and to stimulate excellence in this important area. The Center cooperates with the State's administrative agencies, the public sector and major private companies to meet the needs of their participation in the sustainable development process by providing advice and studies with devising ways to overcome obstacles that may face the implementation actions, and through coordination of technical and professional aspects in accordance with the necessary efforts in the specific locations and sectors and by the specified time plan, and training of individuals in these entities to raise the level of leadership performance, especially in the field of overcoming the risks of the future. The Center also supports the cultural or awareness-raising dimension, which disseminates its message and communicate its objectives and vision to the public opinion in general and the target audience in particular, to raise and deepen the sustainable awareness of Arab and African societies on the importance of these programs, in order to activate human wealth to promote inclusive development. The Center is also distinguished by its interest and specialization in future foresight studies. Egypt, Arab and African States need this field, especially in the light of international and regional liquidity, uncertainty and unpredictability. This type of study is not intended to predict the future, but to provide insight into the range of expected alternatives that help making an informed choice. The Center is using the tools of this science, where it sets out the possibilities that may occur in varying proportions and prepare for each possibility based on a scientific methodology and making attempts to have a clear picture of what could happen, based on the information available on the natural and vital conditions of the environment subject of study. The future foresight study aims to provide a long-term time frame for the decisions made today. Therefore, the establishment of this Center is a step that comes in line with the international approach in general, and with the Egyptian State’s approach in particular, aimed at promoting economic stability, preserving the achieved and increasing development rates, which requires exerting great effort to achieve the purpose of its establishment and to make contributions to the interests of Egypt and the Arab and African region towards a better future. Dr. Nanis Abd El-Razek Fahmi PhD in Political Science Regional Security Specialist