Mufleh highlights multidimensional poverty report update

AMMAN — Social Development Minister Ayman Al Mufleh on Sunday initiated a high-profile meeting regarding the 2nd Arab Multidimensional Poverty Report, held on the sidelines of the 77th session of the executive office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs (CAMSA), headed by Jordan.

According to Mufleh, who is also head of the CAMSA executive office, the discussion sought to update the poverty report. He also said that the meeting discussed CAMSA’s role in developing practical and innovative scientific tools and establishing social, economic, political and environmental policies to eliminate poverty, taking into account the challenges facing the Arab region.

The minister noted that the updated report allows experts to address loopholes in educational, economic and social policies, and enhance efforts to eradicate multidimensional poverty and measure its indicators, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He said that this update coincides with Arab countries' recent steps to outline voluntary reports for the Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030, focusing on the eradication of poverty in all its forms.

The government and all associated organisations are making "great" efforts to reduce multidimensional poverty through public development policies and special programmes aimed at reducing poverty and increasing social solidarity, the minister noted.

Mufleh referred to the government's adoption of the National Social Protection Strategy for 2019-2025, which aims to ensure work and social security, social assistance and social services. 

The minister also said that the persistent difficult conditions in the Arab region require increased pan-Arab efforts, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the global repercussions of the Ukrainian crisis on energy prices, main commodities and food security.

Tareq Nabulsi, director of social development and policies at CAMSA, said that the updated report is a specialised and comprehensive document that implements a pan-Arab strategic framework for poverty eradication through analysing various dimensions of poverty in the region.

Head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia delegation Khalid Abu Ismail said that the report shows the need for Arab countries to reiterate their commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals pertaining to poverty, especially considering the major development challenges that Arab countries face, such as armed conflicts, inadequate financial resources and high unemployment rates.