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Qatar University's (QU) Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (Sesri) hosted a workshop titled 'Education in Qatar 2022: Towards the 2030 Agenda,' a statement said.The event brought together decision-makers, researchers, academics, and other stakeholders to present the key findings from the Qatar Education Study 2022 and discuss innovative solutions for improving education in line with Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030.The aim was to address the challenges facing Qatar's education sector while also exploring strategies and policies to ensure high-quality education that meets the nation's aspirations.During the event, participants evaluated the current state of education in Qatar, exchanged expertise on best practices, and explored new approaches to enhance educational outcomes. There were discussions on topics such as education quality, technology integration, and educational infrastructure development.The workshop also addressed policy education to develop realistic strategic visions aligned with QNV 2030, while fostering collaboration and partnerships between educational institutions, government bodies, the private sector, and international organizations.Dr Saeed al-Meer, director of Research Support (Grants and Contracts) and QU Young Scientists Centre, emphasised the transformative power of education by stating that education goes beyond the boundaries of literacy as it aims to build individuals and foster innovation."Education also serves as a cornerstone for culture, peace, and prosperity worldwide. The Sustainable Development Goals and Qatar National Vision 2030 lead the way. This workshop aims to evaluate the prospects of school education in Qatar, exchange knowledge and experiences, discuss issues and challenges, and enhance awareness, cooperation, and partnerships. It also seeks to provide recommendations that align with the era of digitalisation and artificial intelligence, contributing to the advancement of the national vision for 2030 and ensuring a secure future for all generations.”Sesri director Prof Kaltham al-Ghanim, observed that the workshop reaffirms the institute's commitment to transforming the education landscape in the country, in line with the goals of the 2030 agenda."In recent years, education in Qatar has undergone significant changes, and as we approach 2030, efforts in this field must reflect global standards of excellence in education while meeting the unique needs of students, teachers, and the community as a whole.”Prof al-Ghanim pointed out that Sesri at QU has been conducting a study on education in Qatar since 2012. This longitudinal quantitative study surveys the school education sector based on global research axes. The aim is to provide decision-makers and policymakers with data and standards that can improve the quality of education.She explained that the study focused on several key axes: the curriculum and learning and teaching materials, assessing how comprehensive and responsive the content is to the needs of the 21st century, with an emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability.The second axis focuses on school facilities, assessing how well schools support both academic and personal growth. The third axis measured community satisfaction, surveying the views of students, teachers, and administrators at various levels. The fourth axis examined blended and digital education, examining the swift transition to digital learning amid the Covid-19 pandemic and investigating the effective integration of technology into the educational system.The fifth axis measured the satisfaction of the school community, particularly teachers, as satisfied and motivated teachers are the cornerstone of any successful educational system, Prof al-Ghanim added.Farida Aboudan, representative of the Unesco Regional Office in the Gulf States and Yemen, highlighted that the workshop aligns with the third National Development Strategy, which aims to improve the quality of education and expand access to it as a driving force for progress.She explained that Unesco works alongside its partners in the country, the Arab region, and globally to advance the education agenda. She emphasised that the education system has already achieved most of the indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals, with the current focus on ensuring that everyone has access to quality education that equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to societal development.Sesri has been one of Qatar's most important scientific and social survey research initiatives since QU established it in October 2008. The institute remains at the forefront of educational research in Qatar, contributing to national development by providing high-quality survey data and policy recommendations. Studies such as the Qatar Education Study 2022 help Sesri shape policies that promote innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in education.

Any reader of the daily news could be forgiven for thinking the world is in decline. Amid so many conflicts and societal strains, the United Nations regularly warns that only 17% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – the economic, social, and environmental targets all countries set in 2015 – are on track to be met by 2030, as agreed, leading many to wonder whether such goals still serve any purpose.But rather than succumb to pessimism, we would do better to examine where the world is making sound progress, where it seems stuck on autopilot, and where things are indeed moving backwards or approaching a tipping point for the worse.This is what we set out to do in a recent study, with our colleague Odera Onyechi, estimating country-level progress around the world. One of our topline findings is that “business as usual” aptly describes many trends since 2015.Yet the SDGs must be evaluated remembering the nature of their ambition. They were not established merely to perpetuate longer-term patterns of progress toward more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable societies. Instead, they sought to hasten such progress dramatically. SDG 5, for example, does not just call for a secular continuation of the centuries-long journey toward gender equality. It calls for rapid, transformational change to achieve full gender equality by 2030 – and rightly so.Even if the pace of progress is not sufficient to achieve what 193 countries committed to delivering, this does not mean everything is getting worse.Our study examined 24 SDG-relevant, country-level indicators and started with a basic question: Have things improved since 2015? We found humanity-wide improvements for 18 – ranging from the enlargement of marine protected areas to expanded access to water and sanitation. Such gains do not minimise the pain of backsliding on the six remaining measures, especially those linked to hunger and food security, not to mention the horrendous health and educational consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.But they do show why we need to differentiate progress toward the SDGs more systematically.When we investigate which trends have changed since the SDG agreement in 2015, the results are more muted. The clearest accelerations in progress are in HIV incidence, antiretroviral coverage to treat AIDS, and access to electricity.The AIDS-treatment data include extraordinary breakthroughs in low-income countries with limited infrastructure, such as Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.For a global issue that lacked any systematic policy response in the early 2000s, this represents remarkable progress for humanity.For eight indicators, however, we found no change in the long-term rate of progress, and spotted signs of a slowdown in nine others. (For four indicators, we did not have sufficient pre-2015 data to assess long-term changes.)The takeaway is that there is no single overall story to tell about the SDGs. Most countries are doing better on some issues and worse on others, suggesting that the world needs a more balanced scorecard for cataloguing successes and failures.Moreover, the slowdowns do not always come as a surprise. The pandemic caused a clear short-term increase in the number of people living in extreme poverty, but most of that impact has now faded. Notwithstanding all the big global shocks of the past few years, one finds that the same core challenge persists: Extreme poverty remains concentrated in those countries that were already struggling to reduce it.On some measures, the apparent rate of progress doesn’t tell the right story. With respect to the environment, for example, annual changes in protected areas or greenhouse-gas emissions don’t say much about the risk of hitting a catastrophic tipping point. If you are stuck in a car careening toward a cliff, you shouldn’t obsess over the readings on the speedometer; you should be focusing on pumping the brakes in time.Although tipping points cannot be predicted precisely, there is growing evidence that many planetary boundaries already have been crossed.The world is far off track from the goal of keeping global warming within 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels or adequately preserving nature to halt the risk of mass extinctions.Other individual SDG-related issues can feed into competing narratives. Consider the challenge of child mortality. From 2015 to 2022, annual child deaths under age five fell by more than one million, from 6.1mn to 4.9mn.The country-level trends driving this were a mixed bag. Twenty developing countries notched faster improvements while more than 40 had slower gains. If current trends continue, 60 countries will not meet the SDG target of no more than 25 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. These shortfalls will add up to more than ten million deaths by 2030.One can feel both buoyed by the progress and anxious about the challenges. Remarkably, more than half the excess child mortality could occur in just three countries by the end of the decade – Nigeria, Pakistan, and the DRC. Thus, it is conceivable that concerted international efforts could help local leaders achieve breakthroughs that would fundamentally change the global picture.Overall, a nuanced assessment of the SDGs can offer encouragement alongside the sober realism that current conditions demand. Breakthroughs in technology – ranging from pioneering health interventions to digital cash safety nets reaching people even in the world’s toughest environments – continue to drive new forms of progress. When the institutions, financing, and transparent governance systems align, progress can still be rapid.The world is full of warning signs, and too much of humanity continues to carry an extraordinary burden. But despite the big global disruptions of the 2020s, we continue to make overall gains – if far too slowly – toward our common benchmarks of success. There is no reason to give up hope. The problem is not that everything is getting worse. It is that many things are not getting better any faster than they were before. - Project Syndicate• Homi Kharas is a senior fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution. John W McArthur is Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution.

The Secretary-General of the Asia Co-operation Dialogue (ACD) ambassador Nasser Thamer al-Mutairi stressed that artificial intelligence (AI) has become essential for commercial operations worldwide and for enhancing efficiency and innovation, as well as being a key factor in changing industry and sectors in general — large and small — and its integration has become a must for any company that wants to maintain its competitiveness.In his speech during the inauguration of the 2nd ACD Business Forum, the secretary-general added that the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, despite the challenges it posed, accelerated the pace of digital transformation in the world and forced companies to quickly adapt and adopt digital solutions, virtual operations, and automated services. He noted that AI technology played an important role in meeting consumer needs and facing economic challenges until it became the backbone of new business models focusing on quick-decision-based data.Ambassador al-Mutairi affirmed his commitment to enhancing co-operation among the 35 member states and promoting economic development and technological advancement. He noted that this forum is a valuable platform for exchanging information and investment opportunities, in addition to strengthening cross-border partnerships, especially since Asia includes more than 60% of the world’s population, and its position allows it to play a leading role in AI and technological advancement.He pointed out that integrating AI into business requires continuous research so that we can learn from our shared experiences. He voiced his hope that the discussions of the forum will contribute to inspiring new ideas and the growth of Asian societies.In the speech of the ministers of the ACD member states, Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr Arzu Rana Deuba said that AI has witnessed a lot of development and transformation and is no longer just a technological tool, but has become a basic driver in shaping and reshaping the global landscape, governance, and human lives, including education, health, and security. She addressed the significance of AI in light of the intense global competition, which has become a major turning point, and has entered all fields such as services and goods, through analysing customer data and preferences, and has also contributed as an analytical tool that helps businesses access markets and meet customer needs. It has also contributed to developing informed strategies based on improving resources and efficiency in manufacturing processes and opening windows for dealing between companies to maximise benefits and increase business based on real-time information to respond to dynamic markets.Deuba discussed the challenges and risks facing developing and least developed countries in the use of AI and its impact on business and industry, its impact on employment and jobs, data privacy, ensuring its security and compliance with regulatory frameworks, in addition to its social and economic impacts, the spread of misleading and malicious information, deepfake, data manipulation, and others.The Nepalese minister emphasised the importance of the forum to discuss the regulatory frameworks for AI and deal with this extremely important technology to help grow businesses and enhance economic growth. She called for social integration, communication between the peoples of Asia, and strengthening partnerships between Asian nations to harness the capabilities of AI.

The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) announced the achievements of its Corporate Strategic Plan 2019-23, under the theme 'A Healthier Future for Our Communities,' which saw the successful implementation of over 90% of its outcomes.This strategy has been a driving force behind the sustainable development and improvement of primary healthcare services across the country, aiming to enhance the health of the Qatari community, a statement said Monday.Dr Mohamed Ghaith al-Kuwari, executive director of Strategy Planning and Health Intelligence at PHCC, highlighted that the strategy included ambitious goals to expand primary healthcare services, strengthen the family medicine system, focus on preventive health programmes, and increase access to specialised services. These efforts were intended to reduce the need for costly treatments and long-term hospital care.The strategy also focused on quality improvement initiatives, clinical audits and the development of the health data system to continuously develop clinical and organisational performance. Despite the global health challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic during the strategy’s implementation, PHCC played a significant role in providing testing and immunisation services on a national level.Among the key achievements of this strategy was the opening of six new health centres in Al Mashaf, Umm Al Seneem, South Al Wakra, Al Sadd, Al Ruwais and Al Khor, bringing high-quality healthcare closer to communities and expanded the reach of early detection and wellness services.PHCC also increased the uptake of specialised services from 53% in 2019 to 70% in 2023 and effectively managed 60% of mental health cases within primary health centres as part of the National Mental Health Programme under the second National Health Strategy.PHCC’s development of a Centralised Health Intelligence Framework and the launch of a Centralised Health Portal has facilitated easier access to health information, improved health data management, enabled more informed decision-making. The integration of health data systems has led to improved efficiency through faster, more efficient healthcare services, tailored to the needs of the community, Dr al-Kuwari added.Dr Maha Yousef al-Abdullah, manager of Strategy Planning at PHCC, pointed out other key achievements, such as increasing the number of wellness centres to seven. They provide comprehensive preventive health services and include 12 weekly lifestyle clinics and 16 centres dedicated to smoking cessation. Additionally, mental health services have been expanded to 15 centres, and early cancer detection services are now available in five health centres.PHCC’s efforts to keep the uptake of bowel cancer screening above the national target for five consecutive years have yielded positive results. Early detection of bowel cancer increases treatment success rates and reduces the risk of advanced-stage cancer and complications.Additionally, 75% of primary schools and 90% of kindergartens participated in the Asnani School Oral Health programme. This initiative promoted early oral health awareness among children and fostered healthy dental habits from a young age, reducing future dental issues.By the end of 2023, as many as 98% of PHCC employees had actively participated in professional development programmes and initiatives, which helped enhance the quality of care through well-trained and highly engaged medical staff. This participation also allowed for access to the latest practices and innovations in healthcare, leading to a more efficient and patient-focused healthcare system, driven by staff development.Among the achievements of the 2019-2023 plan was the successful completion rate of quality improvement initiatives, which rose from 45% to 79%. This improvement has enhanced healthcare services, patient safety, care quality, and overall patient experience, while ensuring faster and more efficient service delivery.Dr al-Abdullah concluded by emphasising the activation of several virtual services to facilitate access to healthcare, such as telephone and video consultations, the establishment of a call centre for instant and easy responses to all inquiries, as well as introducing medication home delivery service.

Lebanon is grappling with severe economic and living conditions due to ongoing Israeli attacks since October, which have recently escalated, pushing the country deeper into its worst economic crisis since 2019.The negative repercussions on the Lebanese economy are increasing due to the large wave of displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese citizens from border areas and villages targeted by Israeli entity's airstrikes, which have led to the death and injury of thousands of residents. This wave of displacement has disrupted the economy in many Lebanese regions and governorates, with expectations of a rise in the number of displaced people in the near future.An economic expert and member of the Economic and Social Council in Lebanon, Dr. Anis Abu Diab told the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the Lebanese economy has been in an unprecedented crisis since 2019. The country has faced a series of calamities, such as mass protests, the COVID-19 pandemic, Beirut port explosion and the deposit crisis, which caused an estimated loss of around USD 80 billion, largely burdening depositors.Dr. Abu Diab added that just as Lebanon began to regain some economic stability in 2022, particularly in the private sector, with positive forecasts for the summer of 2023 promising a rebound in the tourism sector, the escalation of violence in Gaza on Oct. 7, followed by the attacks on Lebanon the next day, dealt a harsh blow to the Lebanese economy. The tourism sector, a crucial pillar of the country's economy, has seen a sharp decline since then, he said.Currently, Lebanon finds itself in a state of war, partially crippling its economy, he said, pointing out that the southern provinces are economically paralyzed, with expectations of up to one million displaced people moving from the south, Bekaa, and Dahiya to various Lebanese regions.The member of the Economic and Social Council in Lebanon pointed out that the Israeli attacks' repercussions on the Ministry of Health and the Relief and Humanitarian Aid Organization are estimated at millions of dollars. He added that Lebanon was expected to achieve a growth rate of around 1.2 percent of GDP in 2024, but this figure has now dropped to 0.2 percent.Dr. Anis Abu Diab told QNA that the direct financial losses due to the Israeli aggression on Lebanon are escalating, noting that Lebanon's budget for the upcoming year is estimated at USD 4.7 billion, which falls far short of covering the war's costs and reconstruction efforts. According to estimates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Arab funds, the war's total cost could reach up to USD 10 billion.He also pointed to the repercussions of the attacks on the tourism and industrial sectors, in addition to the devastation of thousands of hectares of agricultural land in southern Lebanon. These economic losses surpass the "capacity of Lebanon's fragile economy" amidst its ongoing crises, making it impossible to precisely estimate the total costs of the war and how Lebanon could finance its reconstruction efforts once the hostilities end.Lebanon is suffering from a severe economic and living crisis, which the World Bank has classified as one of the ten worst crises, and possibly among the three most severe globally since the 19th century. A recent report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) revealed that poverty rates in Lebanon have soared to over 82 percent of the population.The ongoing Israeli attacks come amid an already deteriorating economic situation that has persisted for years, with the majority of families now limiting their spending to basic necessities.Observers believe that the Beirut Port explosion on Aug. 4, 2020, exacerbated the economic crisis and deepened the fears of Lebanese citizens about their country's ability to recover. The explosion killed around 200 people and injured 6,500 others, with damages estimated at approximately USD 15 billion. It also displaced 300,000 people and damaged more than 50,000 homes.Lebanon, which imports most of its needs from abroad in US dollars, is currently facing a severe shortage of the US currency. This has fueled fears among citizens of a critical shortage in certain types of medications and high prices, a situation worsened by the continuous Israeli attacks that have extended to the southern governorates, Nabatieh, Bekaa, Baalbek, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and Mount Lebanon. The dollar shortage in banks, coupled with withdrawal limits imposed on both the dollar and the Lebanese pound, has led to panic and financial distress among most social classes.Adding to the burden on the Lebanese economy is the growing number of Syrian refugees, which now exceeds two million. The Lebanese government and international donors are struggling to meet the needs of the refugees, with official estimates indicating that the cost of the Syrian refugee crisis on Lebanon has reached approximately USD 40 billion. This amount includes expenses for infrastructure, medical treatment, and subsidized food and essential supplies.The ongoing Israeli aggression coincides with Lebanon's precarious economic situation, where the country's public debt exceeds USD 100 billion, and its growth rate stands at zero amid the high exchange rate of the US dollar against the collapsing local currency.Lebanon has been subjected to attacks that have expanded throughout September, affecting the governorates of South Lebanon, Nabatieh, Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, Mount Lebanon, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Thousands of casualties, both dead and injured, have been reported, including a large number of civilians. Israeli entity's airstrikes have targeted homes and residential buildings, causing them to collapse on their inhabitants, and have even targeted rescue and civil defense teams. This has forced tens of thousands of families in the affected areas to flee, with official statistics indicating that the number of displaced people could reach up to one million. This means that one million Lebanese citizens have been displaced within days in the largest displacement Lebanon has ever witnessed.

Austria’s far-right topped yesterday’s national elections, marking a historic victory by beating the ruling conservatives in the Alpine EU nation.While the Freedom Party (FPOe) has been in government several times, this is the first time it has won a national vote.But even with the victory, it is not certain it will be able to form a government.In line with far-right parties elsewhere in Europe, the FPOe has seen its popularity surge, fed by voter anger over migration, inflation and Covid restrictions.The FPOe stood at 29.1% of votes, against 26.3% for the conservative People’s Party (OeVP), according to projections based on more than 60% of the votes counted.FPOe leader Herbert Kickl, who took over the scandal-tainted party in 2021 and led its recovery, said he was ready to form the government with “each and every one” of the parties in parliament.“It can’t be any more clear than today” that the country must “reconnect with the population’s needs,” Kickl said on national television after the results were announced.“Our hand is outstretched in all directions,” he said.At the FPOe headquarters, the atmosphere was festive, as supporters wearing traditional Austrian dresses celebrated.“It’s a real success... It will be a very, very exciting time” with the FPOe trying to form the government, said Erik Berglund, 35, a waiter. He hailed sharp-tongued Kickl as the “most competent leader”.Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who managed to close the gap to the FPOe in recent weeks in opinion polls, said at his party headquarters that he could see the disappointment of party members.“It was a race to catch-up, and unfortunately we didn’t manage it,” Nehammer said, vowing to “continue to fight for the people’s interests”.The OeVP’s support has plunged from more than 37% in the last national election in 2019. The Greens with whom they governed in an unprecedented coalition were also punished, falling to 8.3 percent from almost 14% in 2019.More than 6.3mn of Austria’s 9mn inhabitants were eligible to vote. Nehammer reiterated his refusal to work with Kickl, who has called himself the future “Volkskanzler”, the people’s chancellor, as Adolf Hitler was termed in the 1930s.Kickl regularly attacks EU sanctions against Russia and espouses the far-right concept of “remigration”: expelling people of non-European ethnic backgrounds deemed to have failed to integrate.The FPOe had been widely predicted to narrowly top the vote, but yesterday’s results for the party were even better than expected.“This is certainly an earthquake and sends a shockwave through all the other parties,” political analyst Thomas Hofer told AFP.Even though the FPOe has come first however, analysts predict Nehammer is in a good position to remain chancellor if he forms a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPOe) and another party, probably the liberal NEOs.The SPOe reached 21% , according to the projections, while the NEOS have 9% .It would be the first time a three-party coalition governs Austria, but analysts say such a coalition will have a hard time given the right-wing shift in the country.A coalition between the far-right and the conservatives still remains a possibility says analysts, given their common platform against immigration and on other issues. Long a political force in Austria, the FPOe’s first government with the conservatives in 2000 set off widespread protests and sanctions from Brussels.“The FPOe mainly stirs up fears and never has anything constructive to contribute,” researcher Theres Friesacher, 29, told AFP after voting in Vienna, citing corruption scandals that have frequently engulfed the party.Both past OeVP-FPOe governments were short-lived.The last one, headed by charismatic then-OeVP leader Sebastian Kurz, collapsed over a spectacular FPOe corruption scandal in 2019, after just a year and a half in power.

Mario Draghi, former president of the European Central Bank and former Italian prime minister, has delivered his much-anticipated report on European competitiveness to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The report does not hold back: it issues a stark warning about the European Union’s current trajectory and proposes new ways to think about key issues and policies.According to Draghi, the challenges Europe is facing are nothing short of existential. Over the past two decades, income growth per capita in the EU has lagged behind that in the United States. More ominous, Europe is fundamentally unprepared to navigate a fast-changing global environment characterised by rising geopolitical tensions and rapid technological transformation.With the most open economy among the world’s major powers, Europe is highly vulnerable to trade tensions and other disruptions. Complicating matters further, Europe is heavily dependent on imported energy and critical raw materials, and confronts higher energy costs than its global rivals. Access to cheap energy is vital to economic leadership.Europe also lags behind countries like the US and China on technological innovation and commercialisation. In fact, the EU’s presence in the tech industry is marginal, with no EU company ranking among the world’s top ten tech firms by capitalisation. The EU is losing its edge even in industries it once dominated, such as automobiles. The problem is not a lack of ideas; rather, Europe has struggled to translate its ideas into commercial successes.Economists agree that competitiveness is rooted not in trade surpluses, but in productivity, and here the EU is floundering. Europeans tout their superior social model and high quality of life. But if demographic trends and stagnant productivity persist, these advantages will soon be unaffordable.Draghi paints a dismal but realistic picture. Before implementing drastic policy changes, such as those Draghi proposes, Europeans must establish a solid political consensus on the magnitude of the problem, including a clear idea of the strengths and weaknesses of Europe’s form of capitalism. If Draghi’s report does nothing beyond catalysing such a process, it will have been a major achievement.But the report can do more than help us understand the problems we face; it can also lead us toward more effective solutions. For example, in the 1990s, the prevailing belief was that low productivity reflected labour-market rigidity, but making labour markets more flexible did not lead to a surge in productivity.According to Draghi, a better approach would focus on bolstering private and public investment. As it stands, however, market fragmentation (which limits scale), along with policymakers’ failure to strike the right balance between tech regulation and support for innovation, is impeding private investment. Meanwhile, a failure to target the right priorities, a lack of industrial-policy tools to advance common EU objectives, and, most important, the inability to raise finance at the European level is undermining public investment.With this in mind, Draghi argues that refocusing public spending on innovation – as well as removing excessive regulations, which are impeding startups’ ability to scale up – is essential to foster a Europe-wide innovation ecosystem. He does not shy away from advocating subsidies and protections for innovative companies in selected industries as they establish the necessary scale to compete internationally.Draghi also pushes for the establishment of a unified EU energy market to lower energy costs. He encourages a pragmatic approach to trade with China, with rules tailored to different sectors and technologies. And he recommends the development of an EU “foreign economic policy”, including preferential trade agreements with friendly partners.Critics might try to present these stances as excessively radical. But Draghi’s report should not be read as a blanket endorsement of discriminatory trade policies and full-scale industrial policy. As he emphasised in his speech at the European Parliament, he is not suggesting that the EU should “pick winners” or calling for blanket protectionism, let alone an overhaul of World Trade Organisation rules.One of the report’s most important – and welcome – messages is that protecting the single market requires tools that are designed and implemented at the EU level. Another is that, without a deep and liquid market for EU debt, the creation of a European safe asset – crucial to raise financing for public goods – will be impossible, and the capital markets union, which would go a long way toward supporting private investment, will never develop.Ultimately, Draghi’s report calls for Europe to build something like a war economy and run it hot, using common firepower. But developing a single approach to innovation, energy, defence, industrial policy, and common financing tools will be no easy feat, as it will require strong and sustained political will across the EU.The EU is not a federation, and economic nationalism has generally prevailed, preventing cross-border mergers, limiting coordination, and impeding common financing. Today, the common EU budget amounts to just 1% of the bloc’s GDP, and the common debt issued in response to the Covid-19 pandemic was temporary by design.To be sure, with the Ukraine war raging on the EU’s doorstep, and the US-China rivalry threatening the basis of its economic model, there is a growing sense of urgency that could drive Europeans toward a consensus on the need for deeper political and economic integration. But it could also push Europe in the opposite direction, with countries retreating deeper into economic nationalism. Low levels of trust and divergent interests among EU member states, together with the lack of an EU-level democratic process capable of facilitating integration, create plenty of reason to doubt that European leaders will heed Draghi’s warning. — Project SyndicateLucrezia Reichlin, a former director of research at the European Central Bank, is Professor of Economics at the London Business School.

The problem of global debt is multifaceted and has significant economic, social, and political implications.Many countries, especially developing ones, have borrowed heavily in recent years to finance infrastructure, healthcare, and other essential services.High sovereign debt levels often make it difficult for governments to meet their financial obligations and lead to defaults or restructuring.Corporations and households in many countries have also borrowed more, contributing to overall financial fragility. Excessive private debt invariably leads to reduced consumer spending, slower growth, and increased bankruptcy risks.A new report has warned global long-term growth is at risk due to high worldwide debt and political instability.The real worry, according to World Economic Forum managing director Saadia Zahidi, lies with developing countries.These nations face mounting debt that could spread problems to other emerging economies.She highlights a startling fact: “There’s about 3.3bn people that live in economies where the debt servicing levels are actually higher than what those economies are spending on...health and education.”This situation creates a difficult balancing act for these countries. “Now that’s particularly a developing economy problem,” Zahidi explains, noting it means that there are a lot of “trade-offs” between social spending and servicing debt. “So overall there is a fiscal squeeze,” she states.Recently, the Institute of International Finance warned that the world is mired in $315tn of debt.This global debt wave has been the biggest, fastest and most wide-ranging rise in debt since World War II, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic.“This increase marks the second consecutive quarterly rise and was primarily driven by emerging markets, where debt surged to an unprecedented high of over $105tn — $55tn more than a decade ago,” the IIF said in a report.Around two-thirds of the $315tn owed originates from mature economies, with Japan and the United States contributing the most to that debt pile.However, the debt-to-GDP ratio for mature economies, which is seen as a good indicator of a country’s ability to service its debts — has been falling in general.On the other hand, emerging markets held $105tn in debt, but their debt-to-GDP ratio hit a new high of 257%, pushing the overall ratio up for the first time in three years.China, India and Mexico were the biggest contributors, the report noted.The IIF identified stubborn inflation, rising trade friction and geopolitical tensions as factors that could pose a significant risk to debt dynamics, “putting upward pressure on global funding costs.”“While the health of household balance sheets should provide a cushion against ‘higher for longer rates’ in the near term, government budget deficits are still higher than pre-pandemic levels,” the IIF added.Of the $315tn debt stock, household debt, which includes mortgages, credit cards and student debt, among others, amounted to $59.1tn.Business debt, which corporations use to finance their operations and growth, stood at $164.5tn, with the financial sector alone making up $70.4tn of that amount. Public debt made up the rest at $91.4tn.The global debt problem threatens economic stability, hinders growth, and increases the risk of financial crises.Addressing this issue, obviously requires better fiscal management, debt restructuring, and policies that promote sustainable economic development.

Germany’s real GDP is expected to remain unchanged in 2024 and average 1% growth in the next several years, according to QNB.“This is an underwhelming performance as the economy faces significant hurdles from the negative trends in the industrial sector, inadequate infrastructure, and loss of competitiveness.“Importantly, this is not only a result of cyclical weakness, but a secular trend that would require deep policy changes for a turnaround and the return of healthier growth rates,” QNB said in an economic commentary.Historically, Germany was portrayed as the epitome of high productivity, displaying superior engineering expertise and a strong work ethic.Not surprisingly, Germany has also acted as the economic powerhouse of Europe during extended periods of time, including the post-World War II recovery and after the country’s unification.However, over the last couple of decades, several headwinds started to mount. These included negative demographic trends, red tape, policy missteps, an inability to upgrade leading manufacturing sectors and adapt to the digital age.As a result, Germany’s economy started to underperform in recent years, to the point where the country has even been referred to as the “sick man of Europe”, QNB noted.Since Q4-2019, the last quarter before the Covid pandemic began to unleash its impact globally, Germany’s real GDP has remained practically unchanged.Five years of lost economic growth is not a minor setback in a rapidly evolving context where the world economy is expanding at an average rate of 3% per year.Furthermore, on an accumulated basis, it compares poorly with the 9% expansion for the US, or even the 5% growth for the rest of the Euro Area during the same period.For the 2022-2026 period, economic growth in Germany is expected to average 0.9% per year, much below the pre-pandemic average of 2%.Understanding Germany’s economic stagnation requires an analysis of external and internal conditions, as well as cyclical and structural challenges, QNB said.In this article, QNB analyses three key factors that explain Germany’s economic underperformance.First, the manufacturing sector, once a pillar of Germany’s successful development story, is extending a sustained period of decline and has turned into a drag for growth. More than in most countries, manufacturing is a key sector in Germany, where it has represented close to 22% of GDP in recent years.This weight increases to approximately 35% when taking into account its impact on other sectors, spanning from raw materials to services, such as logistics and financing.Historically, between 2000 and the peak in 2017, the industrial component of real GDP grew at an annual rate of 1.9%. This robust pace reversed dramatically afterwards, and its contribution to GDP growth turned negative as the sector faced a successive series of negative shocks.Adverse events included escalating global trade tensions, a slowing world economy, the Covid-pandemic, a severe shortage of semiconductors, and the energy crisis due to the Russo-Ukrainian war (to which Germany was particularly vulnerable given its reliance on Russian gas).Since its peak in 2017, industrial production accumulates a contraction of 16%, a striking divergence with the 1.7% growth for the US, or even the 2% decline for the rest of the Euro Area during the same period.Automobile production, one of Germany’s flagship industries, is impacted by a shift of consumer preferences towards electric vehicles, stricter environmental regulations, and a shortage of skilled workers.Automobile production has fallen by 28% from the 471 thousand units per month in 2017 to 337 thousand in 2024. This is a significant challenge to the economy, given that the automotive manufacturing represents 5-7% of GDP in Germany, compared to 2-3% in the US and France. Given the importance of manufacturing, these trends are dragging the performance of the German economy.Second, conservative fiscal policy has led to an underfunding in key infrastructure areas, such as transportation, digital technology and energy, contributing to the decline in economic growth. Germany’s commitment to fiscal discipline is embodied in rules such as ‘Schwarze Null’ (Black Zero), which target a balanced budget without incurring new debt.As a result, the public balance sheet in Germany is one of the strongest amongst major advanced economies. The ratio of public debt to GDP is 64% and falling, in contrast to the levels of 122% and 112% for the US and France, respectively.However, fiscal discipline has come at a cost in terms of low levels of public investment, which in 2023 fell to 2.6% of GDP, compared to 4.1% in France, for example.As a result, ageing infrastructure for transportation and energy, and lagging digital technology are hindering long-term economic growth.Third, the economy faces significant institutional challenges that continue to erode German competitiveness and productivity. The World Competitiveness Report provides a useful assessment of competitiveness across countries.Just a decade ago, Germany was ranked 6th in the world. However, since then, the country dropped markedly in the rank to the 24th position this year, QNB said.The report sheds light on key issues that explain the decline, highlighting burdensome tax policy and business legislation. The “rigidity” of labour markets is another source of concern, given strong employment protection laws and high labour costs that reduce the ability of companies to adapt in a rapidly changing environment. Collective bargaining agreements, which can cover entire industries and regions, reduce the flexibility for adjusting wages according to individual company performance or economic conditions.The loss of competitiveness is reflected in productivity: since 2017 output per worker has dropped 2.5%. These structural problems cannot be reversed rapidly, and they will add to subdued economic performance in the coming years, QNB added.

It feels like a movie we have already seen. A new viral strain is killing people in some of the world’s poorest countries, and although vaccines against the pathogen exist, production shortages and regulatory barriers are preventing them from reaching those in need.The response to the mpox outbreak in Central Africa suggests that we have not learned the lessons of Covid-19, when inequitable access to vaccines prolonged the pandemic and worsened its economic consequences. Even more alarmingly, it demonstrates how unprepared we are for a new global health crisis.There are two silver linings, however. The first is a matter of luck. While the coronavirus was transmitted very easily because it was airborne, mpox spreads much more slowly via close contact, which has limited its toll. The World Health Organisation (WHO) counts around 100,000 confirmed mpox cases since January 2022, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports 724 mpox deaths in 2024.Second, this crisis presents an opportunity. By working together to clear the roadblocks to the mpox response, governments, international organisations, and the biopharmaceutical sector can better prepare for future pathogens. The easiest roadblocks to dismantle are regulations that make it harder for vaccines to be manufactured and distributed across borders.Mpox vaccines received regulatory approval in the European Union, Japan, the US, and Canada after an outbreak in 2022. Yet in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the country hit hardest by the outbreak that started last year, regulatory authorities didn’t approve mpox vaccines until June, placing an additional hurdle in the way of incoming donated shots.Many low-income countries rely on the WHO to assess vaccine safety and efficacy, and WHO approval is also necessary for Gavi and Unicef to start large-scale vaccine orders and distribution. Despite the WHO’s hard work, its rules prevented it from declaring mpox to be an emergency and authorising emergency use of mpox vaccines until mid-August, when the disease’s spread had made it a public-health problem of international concern.The WHO’s declaration paved the way for Unicef to launch a tender for up to 12mn doses through 2025. In parallel, the WHO worked with manufacturers and regulators to gather the data necessary for full “pre-qualification” of mpox vaccines (which also covers non-emergency use). The first of these was granted on September 13, and a few days later, Gavi reached an agreement with the manufacturer, Denmark’s Bavarian Nordic, to purchase 500,000 doses for delivery this year.To avoid such delays in future emergencies, countries must be better prepared to receive vaccines. Governments could start recognising regulatory approvals by other countries, and they can use the negotiations on a proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement to give national and regional regulators and the WHO new tools to speed up approvals.Smooth cross-border trade is vital in health emergencies. During the Covid-19 pandemic, multi-country supply chains helped ramp up production and distribution of desperately needed personal protective equipment, test kits, and billions of vaccine doses. By 2021, global trade in medical products was worth $1.5tn, up 29% from 2019, according to World Trade Organisation data. But there were disruptions along the way, with several governments restricting exports and cutting off vaccine access for many import-dependent countries.Another issue is evident in the fact that, until US President Joe Biden’s recent donation of 1mn mpox vaccine doses, the DRC had received only a few hundred thousand, even though its population is above 100mn. Here, we see a problem that goes beyond trade barriers: there has been far too little headway toward diversifying vaccine manufacturing and building extra production capacity.Before the Covid-19 pandemic, 80% of world vaccine exports came from only ten countries, which meant that export restrictions in just a few of them were sufficient to disrupt global supplies. Decentralising vaccine and diagnostics production to more developing countries would help to shock-proof supplies. But doing so requires action across multiple fronts by governments, international organisations, and the private sector.Intellectual property is one front. During the pandemic, WTO members reached a hard-fought decision on Covid-19 vaccine IP that provides tools to diversify production capacity. For mpox and future health threats, pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to be proactive. By preparing to reach voluntary agreements with potential partners, they can rapidly scale up production around the world as needed. Given that the Medicines Patent Pool has a proven track record of facilitating such agreements, we should focus on making this approach work even better.Developing countries, for their part, should ensure that their legislative and regulatory frameworks are ready to support local or regional manufacturing, whether through voluntary licenses from patent holders or by taking advantage of flexibilities in WTO IP rules. The WTO, the WHO, and the World Intellectual Property Organisation can help governments in this area.But IP is not the only issue. Governments also must agree on where to locate regional production hubs to enable economies of scale. Here, the Regionalised Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative’s efforts to organize and scale vaccine manufacturing on a regional basis can help governments. New production facilities in Africa and elsewhere will need sustained demand to continue operating. The pooled procurement approach put in place by the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust during the Covid-19 pandemic represents a step in the right direction. Looking ahead, the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund could help finance long-term purchasing commitments, as this would be an investment in a global public good.During the Covid-19 pandemic, the WTO Secretariat worked with vaccine manufacturers and member-state governments to identify and address trade-related bottlenecks that were holding back vaccine production and distribution. We stand ready to do our part for mpox and whatever other threats lie in the future. Governments, civil society, and the private sector should stop talking past each other on these issues and start working together. – Project SyndicateNgozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, is a former board chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

The global airline industry will need to spend an average of $128bn in annual capital expenditure if it is to achieve its ambitious net-zero emissions goal by 2050, according to trade body IATA.The updated ‘IATA Policy and Finance Net Zero Roadmaps’ say that decarbonisation by 2050 is indeed possible.Success, however, would be facilitated by governments redirecting subsidies away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy production, of which sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is just one type of product.Annual transition cost, meaning the cost that comes on top of that of jet fuel as a result of procuring SAF, hydrogen, and other key levers, is estimated at $1.4bn in 2025.In 2050, the transition cost could be as high as $744bn, based on IATA’s analysis. These numbers highlight the need for speed and scale in bringing solutions to market so that net zero CO2 emissions can be achieved.The air transport industry’s energy transition is feasible on the 2050 horizon, although, IATA says it success in the transition depends critically upon policymakers’ unity of purpose.The association also sounds a warning bell that, to achieve this, all stakeholders, particularly policymakers, must collaborate more broadly and act with greater urgency.Transition involves huge expenditure and is a costly affair. And transitioning to low-carbon technologies, such as SAFs, electric aircraft, or hydrogen-powered planes, requires significant investments in new infrastructure (fuelling stations, manufacturing facilities, etc.). Many airports are not equipped to handle these new technologies yet.Industry experts say the research and development required to bring these technologies to market are costly, and airlines, already operating on thin profit margins, will face challenges funding these innovations.Green technologies, especially SAFs, are significantly more expensive than traditional jet fuels. This price gap needs to narrow for widespread adoption, but market mechanisms to ensure affordability remain underdeveloped.Also, the Covid-19 pandemic had severely affected the financial health of airlines, leaving many companies struggling to fund the transition to greener technologies, which are often more expensive.“To be successful, we need clear policy and financial frameworks that will support air transportation’s needs in a way that is realistic and coherent with the massive changes that must take place simultaneously in all economic sectors,” noted Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.According to IATA’s chief economist Marie Owens Thomsen, “The costs and challenges associated with the energy transition are large, but the opportunities are even greater. Countries have an opportunity to build new industries in agriculture and energy, and to benefit from the catalytic growth impact of sustainable air transport. To realise the opportunities, we need all minds to unite in this mission, and all policymakers, multilateral organisations, investors, solution providers, and the air transport industry to work together.“Such transformative collaboration can pool resources and target meaningful action for greater impact. This is what is needed to deliver a sustainable air transport industry by 2050.”While advancements in fuel efficiency have been made, the fact remains that the current aircraft models rely heavily on fossil fuels.The development and widespread deployment of zero-emission aircraft, such as electric or hydrogen-powered planes, are still in the experimental or early development phases. It may take decades to bring these to market at scale.SAFs are able to reduce emissions, but they are not yet produced at scale, and their costs too are significantly higher than traditional jet fuel. Scaling production while maintaining environmental sustainability is a huge challenge.Aviation is a global industry, so decarbonisation efforts need international co-operation. Different countries have varying levels of commitment and regulatory environments regarding climate change, leading to inconsistent policies and goals.These challenges highlight the complexity of achieving net-zero for the aviation industry, which will require co-ordinated efforts from governments, businesses, technology developers, and consumers.Pratap John is Business Editor at Gulf Times. X handle: @PratapJohn

The State of Qatar holds a distinguished global position thanks to its humanitarian efforts across continents, driven by a wise vision and a noble mission aimed at developing communities affected by wars, disasters, and poverty. This contributes to strengthening international peace and security, especially in light of the escalating and unprecedented challenges facing the world.Qatar consistently strives to harness all its resources to achieve the desired development goals in accordance with its National Vision 2030. It relies on multilateral cooperation as a means of coordinating efforts to address global issues.This includes forming partnerships with United Nations agencies and international bodies, as well as local organizations that play a significant role in supporting and assisting the international community in addressing development challenges and humanitarian crises.The State of Qatar has initiated numerous relief, humanitarian, developmental, and educational projects that reflect its deep commitment to helping needy communities, particularly through contributions from Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) and Qatar Charity, both of which are leading institutions in supporting humanitarian and developmental efforts.In 2023, QFFD provided various countries with grants totaling to over half a billion dollars according to the funds website. The allocation included USD 95,787,309 for education, USD 51,288,045 for economic development projects, USD 53,749,100 for budget support, and USD 38,566,783 for healthcare projects, with other grants amounting to USD 4,865,961.In response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip due to ongoing Israeli aggression since October 7, the State of Qatar has also played a significant role in providing humanitarian relief through various channels, including a QFFD donation of USD 25 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on July 25, 2024, to support Palestinian refugees and the agency's activities regarding human development and humanitarian work in the region.Moreover, on July 25, 2024, QFFD sent to the Palestinian people in Gaza seven trucks carrying 55 tons of urgent humanitarian aid including family tents, sanitation facilities, and hygiene products.Qatar's role is not limited to providing aid, rather includes establishing development projects in various sectors both regionally and internationally. For instance, on July 24, 2024, QFFD signed an agreement with the Municipality of Tirana in Albania to build the Qatar Square in the capital.The agreement seeks to build a public square that will span an area of 23,700 square meters, with a cost of EUR 11 million. It will include several facilities and different spaces for celebrations, exhibitions, and events, along with various shops and gathering areas, in addition to a water purification system for the Lido River in order to sustain natural irrigation water for the surrounding park that will be constructed as part of the project.The project plans to achieve long-term developmental goals by providing a suitable environment for the construction of 25,000 housing units around the square and securing diverse job opportunities for Albanian citizens, which will positively contribute to supporting development and revitalizing the local job market by making this square an important center.In Africa, a delegation from QFFD, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), and the International Committee of the Red Cross visited South Sudan to oversee humanitarian activities and distribute aid to Sudanese refugees and returnees from South Sudan from July 14 to 19.The visit was an opportunity to evaluate the implementation of the agreement signed on February 18, 2024, between QFFD, QRCS, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which allocated USD 2,344,420 to support affected refugees and returnees in South Sudan due to armed conflict in Sudan, severe flooding, and harsh weather conditions in South Sudan.Since the projects implementation, 3,303 phone calls have successfully reunited separated Sudanese families, and 6,839 individuals received healthcare services, including 6,822 children. Additionally, 13,800 refugees and returnees (2,300 families) received urgent food assistance, and more than 24,000 people accessed clean drinking water.During the COVID-19 pandemic, QFFD contributed a significant amount of aid to over 30 countries and international organizations, supporting efforts to ensure equitable vaccine access, particularly in the least developed countries.The fund also provided over USD 140 million to multilateral health institutions and programs such as COVAX to develop and fairly distribute vaccines to over 92 developing countries.Recognizing the importance of implementing the decisions of the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) for least developed countries and small island developing states most vulnerable to climate change, QFFD mobilized support for these countries to implement resilient strategies to address the impacts of climate phenomena, natural disasters, and rising ocean levels.Over the past decade, QFFD has provided USD 980 million for the education sector in various countries, benefiting millions of youths and children in 65 countries worldwide.In 2022, the fund launched the "Women in Conflict Zones" initiative during an official event on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York to support women and girls in conflict and crisis contexts.Through this initiative, QFFD, in collaboration with its strategic partners, aims to provide the necessary resources for women in conflict zones to become future leaders, peacemakers, and the founders of future generations.When it comes to Qatar Charity, 96 million people worldwide benefited from its humanitarian interventions, development projects, and social care over the past five years, along with its international partnerships for 2023 and 2024.In a report provided to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Qatar Charity indicated that these projects were implemented in crisis and disaster-stricken areas and needy communities in over 70 countries thanks to Qatar Charitys field offices and its local and international partnerships.Regarding its humanitarian interventions, Qatar Charity has provided QR 2.4 billion in relief and aid projects over the past five years, benefiting around 59 million affected people in more than 78 countries, including Syria, Palestine, Gaza Strip, Sudan, Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Somalia, Niger, Turkiye, Lebanon, and others.Due to the emergency situation in Sudan since the outbreak of conflict in 2023, Qatar Charity provided humanitarian aid to displaced people in various areas, including food, shelter, medical supplies, and other assistance worth more than QR 116 million, benefiting approximately 1.2 million people.Aid to Palestine amounted to around QR 392 million over the past five years, benefiting more than 16.5 million people.The cost of relief operations in Syria so far stands at QR 903 million, with nearly 24 million beneficiaries.Director of the Emergency and Relief Department at Qatar Charity Mana Al Ansari said that stemming from its sense of humanitarian duty, Qatar Charity is committed to intervening promptly and providing life-saving humanitarian aid to victims of natural disasters and crises worldwide in order to alleviate their suffering and help reduce their losses in property and infrastructure. He added that it does so through its field offices and in coordination with its partners, whether governmental, humanitarian organizations, or local partners. Qatar Charitys aid includes food, shelter, non-food items, health, water and sanitation, comprehensive relief, educational support, social cohesion, and livelihoods.Moreover, Qatar Charity focuses on developing poor areas and communities, with its diverse development projects constituting a significant portion of its global operations, exceeded QR 2.2 billion over the past five years, benefiting around 29 million people.Director of the Development Operations Department at Qatar Charity Abdulaziz Jassim Haji said that development projects are a priority for Qatar Charity due to its goal of making a difference in the lives of poor communities.He noted that the rising number of natural disasters and crises in the region in recent years, including their prolonged nature, has not impacted the scale of Qatar Charity's developmental operations, focusing on quality and sustainable projects to create a lasting impact for beneficiaries.Qatar Charitys development projects cover areas such as food security, economic empowerment, education, culture, social housing, healthcare, water, and mosques, in addition to its active role in social care since its inception. In fact, Qatar Charitys "Rofaqa" initiative currently sponsors 212,000 orphans, poor families, students, people with disabilities, and teachers across 39 countries on three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe.Qatar Charity could well be the largest organizations working with UN agencies in terms of funding and receiving funds within the context of GCC and Arab countries. In 2023 and 2024, it has signed more than 40 agreements with UN and international entities to implement relief and development projects worldwide. Among these UN and international partners are the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), theInternational Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as well as UNRWA and the World Health Organization.Through these partnerships, Qatar Charity, either provides support to partner organizations for the implementation of development and relief projects or receives financial support from the UN agencies to carry out the projects. This underscores the trust these organizations place in Qatar Charity and its various projects executed around the world.The initiative also reflects the State of Qatars ongoing commitment to supporting women in crises and empowering them to make effective positive changes in conflict-affected communities by involving them in the processes of establishing and maintaining international peace and security at all levels, enhancing their efforts to provide greater protection for women in conflict areas, and enabling women and girls to take on leadership roles in their communities by strengthening their decision-making skills and allowing them to contribute effectively within their communities