4th Roundtable Meeting on Sustainable Consumption and
Production in the Arab Region
“Putting 10 YFP on SCP into Action”
Cairo, Egypt
17-18 June 2013
The 4th Roundtable Meeting on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in the
Arab Region was organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in
partnership with the League of Arab States (LAS), the UN Economic and Social
Commission for West Asia (UNESCWA), and Centre for Environment and Development
in the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE). The Meeting was held from 17th to 18th of
June, 2013, at the League of Arab States premises in Cairo, Egypt.
Objectives
In the context of the post Rio+20 Meeting; continue showcasing best practices, reviewing
progress and exchanging views on the needs and priorities of the region to promote the
shift to SCP and the transition to a Green Economy in the context of sustainable
development and poverty eradication.
Responding to this request, the main objectives of the meeting were to:
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Present objectives and activities of the 10 Year Framework Programmes on SCP
(10YFP), drawing a practical roadmap for its implementation in the Arab Region
taking into account key elements and priorities identified in the Arab Strategy for
SCP.
Identify implementation mechanisms and opportunities for the Arab Regional
Strategy on SCP at the regional and national levels including national action plans
on SCP and cooperation with the EU-UNEP SWITCH MED project.
Identify synergies and build cooperation to actively engage the Arab countries in
the development and implementation of the 5 initial list of programmes of the
10YFP (procurement, buildings and construction, tourism, lifestyles and
education and consumer information) and identify the need for additional
programmes.
The achievement of these objectives will further progress the promotion and
implementation the of the Sustainable Consumption and Production approach in the
region by encouraging the utilisation of tools and policies which contribute to the
transition to a Green Economy.
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Background:
The 1st Roundtable Meeting on SCP in the Arab Region was held on March 17-19, 2008,
in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates with the purpose of identifying regional priorities on
SCP to contribute to a regional action plan, presenting ongoing SCP initiatives in the
region, providing regional feedback to the 10 YFP and building cooperation between the
region and the Marrakech Task Forces and other stakeholders.
The 2nd Roundtable Meeting on SCP in the Arab Region was held at the League of Arab
States on September 27-29, 2009, in Cairo, Egypt. During this meeting, the Arab Strategy
on SCP was discussed and was subsequently approved by CAMRE. Additionally,
CAMRE approved holding the Roundtable on SCP on regular intervals, with emphasis on
the priorities identified in the Strategy as the theme for future meetings. A temporary
Secretariat for the Arab Roundtable on SCP was also formed. The Secretariat comprised
of LAS, UNEP, UN-ESCWA, CEDARE, one representative of the Arab National
Cleaner Production Centers (NCPCs) on rotational basis, a regional NGO and an
investment establishment/fund.
The 3rd Roundtable Meeting was held from 26th to 27th of January, 2011, at the League of
Arab States premises in Cairo, Egypt. The meeting benefited from the participation of
government officials, industry representatives, civil society, academics, NCPCs’
representatives, International Experts, and concerned UN agencies. The main outcomes
of the 3rd Roundtable were that SCP initiatives and policies such as the Arab Strategy for
Sustainable Consumption and Production well enhance capacity-building and information
sharing, multi-stakeholder partnerships and project implementation in key SCP areas.
SCP is essential to ensure the effective transition towards a Green Economy. The
participants recognized UNEP as a catalyst for the transition to a Green Economy in the
context of sustainable development and poverty eradication – and enhanced capacity to
fulfil this role in the future.
Participation:
The 4th Roundtable Meeting benefited from the participation of newly appointed National
Focal Points (NFPs) for 10 YFP for SCP, government officials, industry representatives,
civil society, academics, and NCPCs’ representatives. International Experts and
concerned UN agencies enhanced the deliberations and discussions during the Meeting.
Meeting Proceedings:
The Meeting was held over six sessions, in addition to the opening and closing sessions.
The Meeting proceedings were headed by Iraq, as the head of the 4th Roundtable Meeting
on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in the Arab Region.
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Session 1: 10YFP: implementing Rio+20 and enhancing cooperation
The session aimed at providing an overview of the Rio+20 outcomes and key aspects
relevant to the region, including conclusions reached during the RIM for West Asia;
present the 10YFP, its vision and objectives, organizational structure – providing updated
information on the nomination of national focal points in the region, means of
implementation, including the 10YFP Trust Fund, as well as initial programmes, explore
opportunities to enhance international cooperation to support national implementation,
through the Switch Med model.
The session included four presentations that were followed by discussions, resulting in
recommendations referred to in the “Recommendations Section” of this report.
1.1 UNEP - 10YFP Secretariat provided a presentation on the vision, objectives, structure
and means of implementation of the 10YFP in the Arab region, building on the
progress achieved by the Marrakesh Process. The presentation also discussed the
“Five Initial Programmes: namely, procurement, buildings and construction, tourism,
lifestyles and education and consumer information.
1.2 ESCWA presented the main outcomes of Rio+20, with a special focus on key aspects
for the Arab region, as well as the conclusions of RIM for West Asia (May 2013).
1.3 EU presented the means of enhancing cooperation and supporting SCP through the
SWITCH Med model, by providing an overview of the objectives and activities of the
SWITCH projects, supporting the transition towards SCP in the Mediterranean
region.
1.4 UNEP/ROA presented an introduction to African (AMCEN) flagship programmes
contributing to implementation of Rio+20 outcomes in Africa, as well as the African
experience with partnerships for sustainable consumption and production.
Session 2: Addressing SCP priorities of the Arab region through the 10YFP
The session aimed at identifying key priorities for SCP implementation in the Arab
region, challenges and opportunities, taking stock of key initiatives at the national and
regional level, with the objective of updating the Arab strategy on SCP as needed,
identifying the most relevant 10YFP programmes for the region (initial list and potential
new programmes) as well as best ways to engage the region in the development and
implementation of these programmes through a concrete roadmap for implementation.
The session included two presentations that were followed by discussions, resulting in
recommendations referred to in the “Recommendations Section” of this report.
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2.1 Egypt National Cleaner Production Center (ENCPC) presented an overview of key
SCP initiatives, at the regional and national level, with a focus on NCPCs and the
achieved progress.
2.2. LAS presented the Arab Strategy on SCP in the context of priorities and needs,
emerging issues, and challenges and opportunities for SCP in the region. The presentation
also highlighted key priority areas for implementation, activities and potential
contributions to the 5 initial programmes as well as potential l new programmes to
address priorities and needs of the region under the 10YFP. LAS also emphasized the
importance of building synergies between the Arab Roundtable on SCP, national focal
points, stakeholders and UN agencies.
The preliminary draft of the Roadmap for the 10YFP for SCP for the Arab Region,
prepared by UNEP in cooperation with ESCWA was circulated during the session.
Session 3: Implementing the 10YFP in the Arab region
The session aimed at providing a presentation of key implementation mechanisms at the
national and regional levels, including the Global SCP Clearinghouse, and convening
working groups to discuss the role of national SCP focal points in the region and the
Sustainable Buildings and Construction programme of the 10YFP based on regional
priorities and needs.
The session included a number of presentations that were followed by discussions,
resulting in recommendations referred to in the “Recommendations Section” of this
report.
3.1 UNEP - 10YFP Secretariat introduced implementation mechanisms of the 10YFP at
the national and regional levels, as well as providing a presentation of the Global SCP
Clearinghouse: the 10YFP information platform supporting implementation through
knowledge sharing and cooperation.
3.2 Working Groups: The participants were split into two working groups, as follows:
3.2.1 Working Group 1: discussed the role of the SCP national focal points
(NFPs) in the region, and identified the existing regional mechanisms on SCP,
including the Arab SCP Roundtable, to contribute to and benefit from the 10YFP
(role, needs, potential networking activities, etc.)
3.2.2 Working Group 2: discussed the topic of sustainable buildings and
construction and collecting inputs for the development of the Sustainable Buildings
and Construction programme of the 10YFP, as well as identifying solutions or
opportunities to address regional needs through the programme.
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The working group discussions benefitted from the presentations by the World Green
Buildings Council MENA Network, Emirates Green Buildings Council and Tunis
Green Buildings Council.
Session 4: Supporting sustainable markets and innovation for SCP
The session aimed at discussing the means of supporting sustainable markets and
innovation for SCP.
The session included three presentations that were followed by discussions, resulting in
recommendations referred to in the “Recommendations Section” of this report.
4.1 ESCWA presented the role of sustainable tourism in promoting sustainable
development in the Arab region, and discussing the linkages of sustainable tourism with
the 10YFP. The presentation put forward three pillars to support developing sustainable
tourism in the Arab region, namely: developing the institutional and legislative
infrastructure, developing the infrastructure of the tourism sector and identifying key
stakeholders and financing mechanisms.
4.2 The Arabian CSR Network shared SCP and CSR success stories in the region, as well
as presenting cases of Arab companies that contributed to the implementation of some
components of the Arab Strategy on SCP.
4.3 CEDARE provided two presentations on paving the way for the transition to a green
economy in Egypt and the BAT4 Med project, being a case in point for sustainable
development projects in Egypt.
Session 5: Implementing the 10 YFP in the Arab Region (part II)
The session aimed at discussing the national SCP Action Plans, and opportunities for
cooperation under the SWITCH-Med Project, as well as opportunities to implement the
Sustainable Public Procurement Programme of the 10YFP in the Arab region.
5.1 Sustainable Public Procurement Initiative (SPPI)
Discussions aimed at promoting the Sustainable Public Procurement Initiative, (SPPI)
within the 10YFP in the Arab region, and identifying opportunities in implementation
and financing mechanisms. The Institute of Finance, Lebanon, provided a presentation on
the Lebanese SPP Action Plan. The Ministry of Environment, Tunisia, provided a second
presentation on the progress of SPP in Tunisia. Also, LAS presented the results of the
Arab SPP workshop, held in cooperation with UNEP/ROWA in May 2009.
5.2 National SCP Action Plans (NAP) - SWITCH-Med
Discussions aimed at presenting the national experiences on NAP, as well as highlighting
linkages with SCP, Green Economy and Sustainable Development, as well as exchanging
information on the SWITCH-Med Project. In this context, the Global Footprint Network
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provided a presentation on measuring SCP through the use of the “Ecological Footprint”.
The Egypt National Cleaner Production Center (ENCPC) presented the case of the
African Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production (ARSCP).
Session 6: A roadmap for the implementation of the Arab SCP Strategy and the 10
YFP (interactive discussion)
This session aimed to identify the way forward for the implementation of the Arab SCP
Strategy in light of the 10YFP, based on priorities, opportunities and challenges of the
Arab region. In this session, ESCWA provided a brief presentation on identifying
national SCP priorities to support the decision-making process on the national level.
In light of the deliberations and discussions held, participating member countries and
entities confirmed their commitment to continued collaboration on the follow-up and
implementation of the below-mentioned recommendations.
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Outcomes of the Meeting:
In light of the deliberations and discussions held, the Meeting recommendations were as
follows:
1. Enhance cooperation to support the implementation of the Rio+20 outcomes,
with regards to the 10 YFP for SCP
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The Secretariat for the Arab Roundtable on SCP is assigned with pursuing the
regional implementation of the 10YFP, and holding a bi-annual meeting to follow
up on the progress of its implementation in the Arab region. It is envisaged that
the establishment of a 10YFP Council would assist the Secretariat in securing the
necessary financing mechanisms made available through the Trust Fund, to
support the transition to SCP.
The Secretariat for the Arab Roundtable on SCP is required to provide
information and data on the Trust Fund and other financing mechanisms, as well
as building capacities on utilizing available funds.
It has been recognized that the appointment of National Focal Points (NFP’s) is
necessary for mainstreaming the implementation of the 10 YFP for SCP. In this
context, UNEP/ROWA is responsible for identifying the roles and responsibilities
of the appointed NFP’s.
The participants recognized the importance of SCP and the need to set up
mechanisms to support existing initiatives at the global, regional and national
levels, providing coherence and coordination between them, fostering
partnerships and providing a platform for the exchange and replication of best
practices, consolidating and channelling technical and financial support where
needed.
The participants agreed on the importance of identifying implementation
mechanisms and opportunities for the Arab Regional Strategy on SCP at the
regional and national levels including national action plans on SCP and
cooperation with the EU-UNEP SWITCH MED project, as well as the global SCP
Clearinghouse Platform. UNEP is requested to build the capacities of the Arab
countries and especially the NFP’s towards the adaptation and application of these
tools.
It has been recognized that there is a need for priority implementation of SCP
measures and policies in the Arab region, in light of the thematic areas of 10 YFP
(Consumer information- Sustainable lifestyles and education - Sustainable public
procurement (SPP) - Sustainable buildings and construction - Sustainable tourism
– Others).
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2. Priorities, opportunities and challenges facing the implementation of the
Arab Strategy for SCP on the regional and national levels
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The Secretariat for the Arab Roundtable on SCP is assigned with developing the
Arab Strategy for SCP, in light of the current developments in the region and the
outcomes of the Rio+20.
Calling for the establishment of National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPC’s)
and exchanging experiences with existing centres.
3. Green Economy and SCP Tools
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Promoting policy instruments for SCP and developing existing measures, to
benefit from the available 10YFP mechanisms, especially the Trust Fund to
support sustainable tourism and sustainable buildings projects in the Arab
countries.
Calling for adopting a common strategy and developing synergies towards the
transition into a Green Economy, including the promotion of SCP.
4. Drawing the Roadmap for the 10YFP for SCP for the Arab Region
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The Roadmap for the 10YFP for SCP for the Arab Region was drafted by UNEP
in cooperation with ESCWA, and presented in the meeting for a review process
commissioned to the Secretariat for the Arab Roundtable on SCP.
It was agreed that following the draft review process, the Technical Secretariat for
the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE) shall
coordinate with partners in the 4th Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and
Production in 2013, and to raise its findings to the 15th Meeting of the Joint
Committee on Environment and Development (JCEDAR).
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Meeting Agenda
4th Roundtable Meeting on Sustainable Consumption and
Production in the Arab Region
The 10 Year Framework of Programmes: Taking
Action in the Region
17-18 June 2013, League of Arab states, Cairo Egypt
Main Objectives:
 Provide a global and regional overview of SCP and the 10YFP;
 Identify priorities, opportunities and challenges for the Arab Regional Strategy on SCP
at the regional and national levels, as well as best ways to address them through the
10YFP programmes;
 Draw a practical road map for the implementation of the 10YFP in the Arab Region,
identifying implementation mechanisms, including the Arab RTB on SCP, national
focal points and stakeholders, as well as cooperation opportunities such as through the
EU-UNEP SWITCH MED project;
 Enhance discussions concerning paving the way to sustainable markets and innovation
in the Arab Region through green economy and SCP tools;
 Identify synergies and build cooperation to engage actively the Arab countries in the
development and implementation of two programmes on Sustainable Buildings and
Construction and Sustainable Public Procurement.
Day 1
9:00 –
09:15
Registration of participants
09:15–
09:45
Opening Ceremony and introduction
09:45–
11:15
Plenary session 1
LAS
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Opening Remarks by League of Arab States (LAS)
Country (tbc - regional member of the 10YFP Board)
UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) by Salah Kandil
Centre for Environment and Development in the Arab Region and Europe
(CEDARE)
 Opening Remarks by Iyad Abumoghli, Regional Director, UNEP
10YFP: implementing Rio+20 and enhancing cooperation
Facilitator: LAS
Objectives: provide an overview of Rio+20 outcomes and key aspects relevant to the
region, including conclusions reached during the RIM for West Asia; present the
10YFP, its vision and objectives, organizational structure – providing updated
information on the nomination of national focal points in the region, means of
implementation, including the 10YFP Trust Fund, as well as initial programmes,
explore opportunities to enhance international cooperation to support national
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implementation, through the Switch Med model.
09:4509:55
09:5510:15
Overview of the
Meeting
Rio+20 outcomes
and regional
follow up
11:0511:15
Main outcomes of Rio+20
SCP and Green Economy
Conclusions of the Arab RIM, May
2013
Building on progress achieved:
Marrakech Process
Vision and objectives, structure,
and means of implementation
National SCP focal points in the
region
5 initial programmes
Switching towards SCP in the
Mediterranean
Objectives and activities
Other Switch projects and
perspectives
Introduction to African (AMCEN)
flagship programmes contributing
to implementation of Rio+20
outcomes in Africa.
African experience with
partnership for sustainable
consumption and production
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Enhancing
cooperation and
supporting SCP:
SWITCH MED
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Partnership for
Sustainable
Consumption and
Production
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Charles ArdenClarke, 10YFP
Secretariat,
UNEP
Salah Kandil,
ESCWA
Charles ArdenClarke, 10YFP
Secretariat,
UNEP
EU
Mohamed Abdel
Monem,
UNEP/ROA
Questions and Answers – Summary of the session
11:1511:30
11:3013:15
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The 10YFP
10:4511:05
Overview of the Agenda
The objectives of the Meeting
What is expected of the
participants and the Meeting
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10:15 –
10:35
10:3510:45
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Coffee/Tea Break
Session 2 – Addressing SCP priorities of the Arab region through the
10YFP
Facilitator: NCPC Lebanon
Objectives: identify key priorities for SCP implementation in the Arab region,
challenges and opportunities, taking stock of key initiatives at the national and
regional level, with the objective of updating the Arab strategy on SCP as needed,
identify the most relevant 10YFP programmes for the region (initial list and potential
new programmes) as well as best ways to engage the region in the development and
implementation of these programmes through a concrete roadmap for
implementation.
11.30–
11:50
Arab Strategy on
SCP
 Priorities and needs, emerging
issues, challenges and
opportunities for SCP in the
region
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LAS
11:5012:10
SCP initiatives and
progress achieved
12:1013:10
Interactive
discussion:
developing a
roadmap for
implementation
13:10 –
14:30
14:3017:00
14:3015:00
15:0016:30
 Building synergies: the Arab
Roundtable on SCP, national focal
points, stakeholders and UN
agencies
 Overview of key SCP initiatives,
Egypt NCPC
at the regional and national level,
with a focus on NCPCs
 Developing a roadmap for the implementation of the
Arab Strategy on SCP and 10YFP;
 Priority areas, activities and potential contributions
to the 5 initial programmes
 Potential l new programmes to address priorities
and needs of the region under the 10YFP
Lunch break
Session 3 – Implementing the 10YFP in the Arab region (part I)
Facilitator: Bahrain
Objectives: provide a presentation of key implementation mechanisms at the
national and regional level, including the Global SCP Clearinghouse, and convene
working groups to discuss the role of national SCP focal points in the region and the
Sustainable Buildings and Construction programme of the 10YFP based on regional
priorities and needs.
 Introduce implementation
mechanisms of the 10YFP at the
national and regional level
Implementation
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Present the Global SCP
mechanisms and the
UNEP
Clearinghouse: the 10YFP
Global SCP
information platform supporting
Clearinghouse
implementation through
knowledge sharing and
cooperation.
Working Group 1
Role of the SCP national focal
points in the region
Objectives: identify the best options for the
national SCP focal points as well as for the
existing regional mechanisms on SCP,
including the Arab SCP Roundtable, to
contribute to and benefit from the 10YFP
(role, needs, potential networking activities,
etc.)
Facilitator: Charles Arden-Clrake
Working group 2
Sustainable Buildings and
Construction (I)
Objectives:
 Collect inputs for the development of the
Sustainable Buildings and Construction
programme of the 10YFP
 Identify solutions or opportunities to
address regional needs through the
programme
Facilitator: ESCWA
Presentations
Mohamd Asfour, World Green Building
Council MENA Network
Saeed Al Abbar, Emirates Green Building
Council
Rym Baouendi, Tunis Green Building
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Council and Medina Works
16:3017:00
Questions and Answers, feedback and wrap up
- End of Day 1 –
Day 2:
09:1509:30
Welcome and summary of day one
09:3010:40
Session 4: Supporting sustainable markets and innovation for SCP
09:15–
09:45
Facilitator: Oman
Sustainable
Tourism
09:45–
10:00
CSR Initiative in
the Region
10:00–
10:15
Paving the way
towards Green
Economy
10:1510:40
10:4011:00
11:0013:00
 The role of sustainable tourism
in sustainable development
 ESCWA work with sustainable
tourism in the region
 Sharing and championing
success stories on SCP and CSR
in the region
 Green Economy in Egypt
 Sustainable Hotels project
Salah Kandil, ESCWA
Habiba Al Marashi,
Arabian CSR Network
Hossam Allam,
CEDARE
Questions and Answers – Summary of the session
Coffee/Tea Break
Session 5 – Implementing the 10YFP in the Arab region (part II)
Facilitator: UNEP
Objectives: convene working groups to present and discuss National SCP Action
Plans and opportunities for cooperation under the Switch Med project, as well as
opportunities to implement the Sustainable Public Procurement programme of the
10YFP in the region.
11:0012:30
Working group 3
Sustainable Public
Procurement
Objectives: present the SPP Initiative and
the ongoing SPP activities in the region.
Engage the participating countries in the
SPPI and in SPP promotion.
Main issues:
Working group 4
National SCP Action Plans SWITCH MED
Objectives:
 Present national experiences on NAP and
challenges
 Highlight linkages with SCP, GE and SDS
 Exchange information on SWITCH MED
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-
SPP in the Arab context?
Existing SPP activities
Main tools and opportunities
Regional cooperation and support to
future SPP implementation projects
Facilitator: Institute of Finance, Basel
Fuleihan, Ministry of Finance, Lebanon
Facilitator: Charles Arden-Clarke, UNEP
Presentations
Ecological footprint – national footprint
APRSCP – NAPs (Hannan El Hadhry,
Egypt)
Country (Lebanon, Egypt)
Speakers :
Ms. Basma Abdul Khalek, Institute of
Finance, Lebanon
Presentation of the Lebanese SPP
Action Plan
- Mr. Nabil Hamdi, Ministry of
Environment, Tunisia
12:3013:00
13:0014:00
14:0015:30
Questions and Answers, feedback and wrap up
Lunch break
Session 6: A roadmap for the implementation of
the Arab SCP Strategy and the 10YFP
(interactive discussion)
LAS/ESCWA/UNEP
Facilitator: Bahrain
Objectives: identify the way forward for the
implementation of the Arab SCP strategy in the new light of
the 10YFP, based on priorities, opportunities and challenges
of the Arab region
15:3016:15
Recommendations
16:1516:30
Closing session
LAS/ESCWA/UNEP
LAS
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