Governing for Sustainable Prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Foreword
Governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have faced significant global challenges over the past decade, including climate change, digital transformation, and political, social, economic, and security issues. These challenges have prompted reforms aimed at building sustainable and resilient administrations that better align with development goals and citizens' expectations.
Despite some Gulf countries performing similarly to OECD member countries, the MENA region has generally regressed in terms of good governance over the past 10 years. Key indicators show a consistent decline in citizens' trust in government and public institutions since 2016, with minimal progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Key Objectives and Challenges
The report focuses on four main objectives to support and scale up reforms:
- Fostering Sustainable Growth: Addressing environmental and economic sustainability.
- Efficient Spending of Public Resources: Ensuring fiscal prudence and transparency.
- Effective Delivery of Public Services: Improving service delivery and accessibility.
- Promoting Open and Inclusive Societies: Enhancing social inclusion and democratic participation.
Strategic Orientations and Opportunities
Recognizing the varying rates of advancement in public governance reforms across the region, the report offers general strategic orientations and identifies adaptable areas of opportunity tailored to different contexts, needs, and priorities. Special emphasis is placed on building government capacity to address the needs of vulnerable groups and leveraging green and digital transformations to ensure inclusive and sustainable prosperity.
Context and Support
The report draws on bilateral and regional reviews, projects, and exchanges within the MENA-OECD Governance Programme, as well as OECD standards and best practices in public governance. It aims to inform discussions and promote peer learning on public governance reforms in the MENA region, supporting the preparation of the next mandate (2026-2030) of the MENA-OECD Initiative on Governance and Competitiveness for Development.
Regional Project and Future Activities
The report was produced in collaboration with Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, supported by the regional project "COVID-19 Response and Recovery in the MENA region," which aimed to help governments respond and recover from the pandemic and enhance resilience. It will also inform future activities of the OECD Training Centre on Public Governance in Caserta, Italy, which serves as a hub for sharing knowledge and building capacities among policy practitioners in the MENA region and beyond.
Acknowledgments
The report was prepared by the OECD Public Governance Directorate under the leadership of Elsa Pilichowski, with contributions from various divisions and experts, including Yusuf Ashmawi, Guillaume Biganzoli, Charlotte Denise-Adam, Manon Epherre-Iriart, Pietro Gagliardi, Paulina Lopez Ramos, Arnault Prêtet, Rémy Roisnel, and Gonzalo Rosillo Odriozola. The manuscript was prepared by Ciara Muller with editorial support from Francesca Romani.
