Arab nations observe Arab Population and Development Day annually on 28 October. This year’s theme, "The Population of the Arab World between Reality and Hope," carries an especially profound significance. It captures a stark duality: the tragic reality of ongoing violence and terror that haunts defenseless civilians—women, children, and the elderly—amid the relentless Israeli aggression. This aggression, persisting not only in Palestine but extending to Lebanon, has led to widespread destruction, displacement, and migration, even as global leaders gather at the United Nations Summit on the Future to adopt the "Charter for the Future" and the "Declaration on Future Generations."
Discussions on securing a better future through global cooperation appear hollow, as the international community stands idle, unable to halt the relentless Israeli assault and flagrant violations of state sovereignty. Daily scenes of thousands of civilian deaths, the mass displacement of defenseless people, and the obliteration of entire cities and villages have redrawn the demographic map of the region. In Lebanon alone, since the onset of intensified Israeli airstrikes, approximately 1.5 million people have been forced from their homes, alongside thousands more seeking refuge in Syria and Iraq, amplifying fears of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, particularly with winter fast approaching.
Today brings us one step closer to the harsh realities unfolding since the onset of war on the Gaza Strip. The number of those displaced multiple times from the Strip has reached an estimated 1.9 million people. This conflict has not only precipitated a grave humanitarian crisis but has obliterated essential elements of life, security, and shelter, leaving millions of Palestinians in a dire struggle for survival. The war’s impact is anticipated to reverse human development progress in Palestinian territories by 11 to 16 years, with the severity varying according to the depth of the crisis.
The Zionist expansionist agenda, driven by a brutal scorched-earth policy, threatens a sweeping demographic transformation that aims to reshape the entire Middle East, with its ambitions openly articulated at the highest international forums. In our capacity to safeguard the Arab citizen’s identity, security, and prosperity, we call for solidarity in confronting this destructive expansionist project, condemning the ongoing aggression against our people in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, and ending it before our lands are left in ruins.
Amid this conflict, the dual pursuit of population growth and sustainable development appears nearly impossible. Security, peace, and stability are essential to safeguard the hard-won achievements in Arab population development. Even in these trying times, it is crucial to recognise the region’s accomplishments over the past three decades. Regional reviews of the International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action have underscored significant progress in several goals and indicators.
