On 15 and 16 December 2008, the League of Arab States (LAS), in partnership with the Human Security Unit (OCHA) and UNESCO, hosted a High-Level Conference on “Human Security in the Arab Region” at the Headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo (Egypt).

The two-day conference brought together representatives from the 22 Member States of the LAS, international and regional experts, as well as non-governmental and civil society organizations from the region. Participants discussed issues of importance to human security in the Arab region with the goal of:

• deepening the understanding of the human security concept at policy and operational levels;
• improving human security in the Arab region through appropriate policy, analysis and strategic cooperation; and
• disseminating and advancing the debate on human security in the region.

Thematic papers on poverty eradication, democracy and human rights, environmental security, and the management of conflict and post-conflict situations have been prepared by renowned regional experts. These papers, along with a background paper on “Human Security in the Arab region,” provided the substantive backdrop to the conference. The conference has also benefit from the participation of international experts who shared their knowledge in relation to human security challenges and opportunities in the region.

All conference documents will be translated into Arabic, English and French and will be widely distributed to relevant ministries of LAS Member States, NGOs, specialized Arab organizations, research centers, academia, as well as UN and non-UN entities.

This conference is co-funded by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS), the LAS and UNESCO.

To view the photo gallery of the conference please click here.

Agenda

Report of the Conference

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