An event focused on population, education, and work as key drivers of sustainable development in Arab countries, was held during the 56th session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD) in New York. Organized under the patronage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and represented by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the gathering explored the theme of "Population, Education and Sustainable Development" in collaboration with the Arab League's Population Policies Department, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) and the United Nations Population Fund's Arab States Regional Office (UNFPA/ASRO(. The overall mission of the 56th session of CPD was closely aligned to Chapter XI of the ICPD Program of Action, adopted by Governments during the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. Organized in Cairo, it explored how to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4 and ensure access to inclusive and equitable quality education opportunities for all. Held April 13-14, the latest event was attended by Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Mona Kamal Shahab, Advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning, alongside various other stakeholders such as members of the Arab Council for Population and Development, delegates of Arab States' Permanent Missions to the United Nations, and partners from UNPFA, ESCWA, as well as the Arab League. These parties were also joined by experts, researchers, and representatives of civil society organizations. The main objectives of the event were: 1. Highlighting population trends and the reality of education and employment in Arab countries: current challenges and opportunities, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2. Reflecting on the importance of education for women and girls: the various risks that may arise (including limited access to reproductive health services, early marriage, gender-based violence) and the benefits of lifelong learning. 3. Drawing attention to the importance of quality education and the nexus between learning and labor market requirements as well as future challenges due to digital transformation and climate change. 4.Exploring the need to invest in youth as human capital and opportunities for countries to reap the benefits of the demographic dividend and achieving the sustainable development goals.
