BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Knowledge Portal ECA-NA - ECPv6.15.4//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Knowledge Portal ECA-NA
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/Paris
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20250330T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20251026T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20251001T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20251001T121500
DTSTAMP:20260403T231046
CREATED:20250918T122302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T112343Z
UID:10000043-1759312800-1759320900@knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org
SUMMARY:Leveraging Climate Finance for Decent Jobs in Africa\, Challenges and Opportunities (Online)
DESCRIPTION:Presentation and objectives: \nAlthough Africa contributes less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions\, it is the continent most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Its economies already face severe impacts on growth\, employment\, and poverty\, while access to climate finance remains limited\, with Africa receiving less than 5% of global flows. The cost of adaptation is estimated at USD 30 to 50 billion annually over the next decade\, far beyond the fiscal capacity of states often burdened by high debt and borrowing costs. \nClimate finance nevertheless represents a strategic opportunity to foster decent and sustainable employment. Indirectly\, it can strengthen food security and agricultural productivity\, critical for Africa’s labor markets. Directly\, it can drive investment in renewable energy\, sustainable agriculture\, and waste management\, sectors with the potential to create millions of jobs by 2030. Innovative mechanisms such as green bonds\, debt-for-climate swaps\, and blended finance (public and private investment) could help bridge the financing gap and accelerate a just transition. \nThe webinar aims to explore these challenges and opportunities\, highlight transformative approaches\, and provide concrete policy recommendations. Its objective is to deepen understanding of the employment impacts of climate change\, promote reforms to improve access to climate finance\, and support Africa’s transition to a sustainable development model. \nDate & Time: October 1st\, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:15 pm (UTC+1)\nFormat: Online (Zoom)\nInterpretation: French and English\nThis webinar will be live streamed on:   \n \n \n\n \n\nConcept Note – Agenda\n\n\n \n   Concept Note & AgendaSize: 133 Kb  \n\n\n\n \n\nPresentations\n\n\n \n   01-Zoubir-Benhamouche  \n \n   02-Kamal-Djemouai  \n \n   03-Syed-Adeel-Abbas.pdf  \n \n   04-Giovanni-Valensisi  \n \n\n\n \nSpeakers\n \n\n \nCosmas Milton Obote Ochieng\, is the Director of UNECA’s Climate Change\, Food Security and Natural Resources Division. He was Associate Professor at Boston University’s Pardee School and Executive Director of the African Centre for Technology Studies in Kenya. He previously served as Technical Coordinator for Economics\, Business and Biodiversity at IUCN in South Africa\, Climate Change Scientist at the Technical University of Denmark\, and Lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture at Lancaster University. \n\n \n\n \nAdam B. Elhiraika\, is the Director of UNECA’s Subregional Office for North Africa. He previously served as Director of Macroeconomics and Governance Division and Macroeconomic Policy Division of ECA\, and Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Sudan (2020-2022) on leave from the UN. Before joining ECA in 2004\, he was a Research Economist at the Islamic Development Bank and Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at several universities. He published extensively in internationally refereed journals\, books and reports. \n\n \n\n \nKamal Djemouai\, is a climate change and sustainable development specialist with over 25 years of experience. Former president of the African Group on Climate Negotiations (2008–2009)\, he has advised African members of the Green Climate Fund\, Loss and Damage Fund\, and African Adaptation Initiative. He has chaired key UNFCCC bodies\, contributed to the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report\, and co-authored Francophonie guides. Earlier\, he served 19 years as a senior official in Algeria’s environment ministry and taught at the University of Blida. \n\n \n\n \nGiovanni Valensisi\, has been Economic Affairs Officer at UNCTAD since 2016\, specializing in structural transformation\, trade\, and finance for sustainable development in Africa and Least Developed Countries. A development economist with over 15 years of experience\, he previously worked with UNECA in Addis Ababa\, UNDP in Syria\, UNCTAD in Geneva\, and NGOs in Ecuador\, Italy\, and Guatemala. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pavia and an MSc in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics from Toulouse School of Economics. \n\n \n\n \nSyed Adeel Abbas\, is the World Bank’s Regional Climate Change Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa\, with over 20 years of experience in adaptation\, resilience\, disaster risk management\, and green growth. Since 2012\, he has led climate-smart programs\, supported more than 20 operations\, and guided the MENA Climate Change Roadmap. He previously managed the Bank’s global climate finance initiative\, shaping $80 billion of programs. Earlier\, he directed UN- and donor-supported projects worldwide. A Fulbright scholar\, he holds advanced degrees in finance and sustainability. \n\n \n\n \nZoubir Benhamouche\, is an Economist at UNECA North Africa Office\, has a diverse background\, including many years of experience in financial markets with PwC and Hiram Finance in France\, and economist at the forecasting directorate of the French Ministry of Economy and Finance. He also taught economics in several universities in France. His work at UNECA focuses on productivity\, governance\, structural transformation\, and climate change. He holds advanced degrees in Economics and Statistics\, an Executive MBA\, and a PhD focusing on inequality\, institutions\, and development.
URL:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/event/leveraging-climate-finance-for-decent-jobs-in-africa-challenges-and-opportunities-online/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Leveraging-Climate-Finance-for-Decent-Jobs-in-Africa-Challenges-and-Opportunities-scaled.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Zoubir Benhamouche":MAILTO:benhamouche@un.org
LOCATION:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/event/leveraging-climate-finance-for-decent-jobs-in-africa-challenges-and-opportunities-online/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20251111T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20251113T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T231046
CREATED:20250910T070742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T092820Z
UID:10000041-1762851600-1763038800@knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org
SUMMARY:40th Session of the Intergovernmental Committees of Senior Officials and Experts for North Africa 2025 (On Invitation)
DESCRIPTION:Theme of the meeting: \nThe theme of the fortieth session of the of Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts for North Africa will focus on “Enhancing Domestic Resource Mobilization through Innovation and Technology in North Africa”. \nDomestic Resource Mobilization  in North African countries faces a complex array of challenges that limit their ability to generate sufficient domestic revenue to finance inclusive and sustainable development. These challenges stem from structural constraints\, weak institutional capacity\, and fragile political environments that undermine efficient tax system and effective fiscal governance. \nOvercoming these challenges will require a holistic approach. Key priorities include digitalizing tax administration\, formalizing informal economic activity\, reducing exemptions\, and investing in public financial management systems that enhance budget transparency and expenditure tracking. Financial inclusion initiatives and capital market development must be scaled up to mobilize savings and attract domestic investment. For some countries\, restoring political stability and rebuilding institutional trust is essential before structural reforms can take root. \nDigitalization can revolutionize how North African countries mobilize their domestic resources by enhancing efficiency\, transparency\, and inclusiveness in public finance systems. Advanced data analytics and AI can help detect tax evasion\, broaden the tax base\, and improve overall compliance. With large informal economies like North Africa\, mobile payment platforms can simplify tax processes and encourage participation from remote and underserved communities. \nObjectives of the meeting: \nThe central aim of the meeting is to provide a platform for peer learning among member states and experts to deliberate and formulate actionable policy recommendations that can enhance domestic resource mobilization across North Africa\, in alignment with the objective of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. \nThe meeting will also discuss the results achieved and the future work programme of the Subregional Office\, review the subregion’ economic situation and prospects and identify actions needed\, as relevant to the development priorities of the North African countries\, to accelerate the path towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. \nDate & Time: November 11\, 2025 at 9:00 am (GMT+1)\nFormat: In-person\nInterpretation: Arabic\, French and English \n \n \n\n \n\nICSOE 2025 Agenda\n\n\n \n   ArabicSize: 215 Kb \n \n\n   FrenchSize: 150 Kb \n \n\n   EnglishSize: 126 Kb \n\n\n \nICSOE 2025 Programme of Work\n\n\n \n   ArabicSize: 235 Kb \n \n\n   FrenchSize: 202 Kb \n \n\n   EnglishSize: 197 Kb \n\n\n \nICSOE 2025 Concept Note\n\n\n \n   ArabicSize: 368 Kb \n \n\n   FrenchSize: 348 Kb \n \n\n   EnglishSize: 232 Kb \n\n\n \nSDGs Report 2025\n\n\n \n   ArabicSize: 706 Kb \n \n\n   FrenchSize: 614 Kb \n \n\n   EnglishSize: 442 Kb \n\n\n \nSubregional Profile 2025\n\n\n \n   ArabicSize: 706 Kb \n \n\n   FrenchSize: 614 Kb \n \n\n   EnglishSize: 442 Kb  \n\n\n \nActivities Report 2025\n\n\n \n   ArabicSize: 354 Kb \n \n\n   FrenchSize: 308 Kb \n \n\n   EnglishSize: 223 Kb  \n\n\n\n \n\nPresentations\n\n\n \n   01-Amandine-Nakumuryango-Subregional-Profile  \n \n   02-Samia-Hamouda-SDG-Report  \n \n   03-Adam-Elhiraika-Activities-Report  \n \n   04-Grace-Chisamya-ECA-Strategic-Direction  \n \n   05-Leonard-Wantchekon-HLEG-Beyond-GDP  \n \n   06-Khalid-Hussein-Flagship-Initiatives
URL:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/event/40th-session-of-the-intergovernmental-committees-of-senior-officials-and-experts-for-north-2025-on-invitation/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ICSOE-2025.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Khaled Hussein (North Africa)":MAILTO:hussein44@un.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20251112T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20251112T170000
DTSTAMP:20260403T231046
CREATED:20250919T094805Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T093154Z
UID:10000042-1762938000-1762966800@knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org
SUMMARY:Expert Group Meeting "Increasing Domestic Resource Mobilization through Innovative Policies and Digital Technologies"
DESCRIPTION:Domestic resource mobilization (DRM) is critical for fiscal independence and for financing the development of a country\, particularly public spending and investment that are key for long run growth (education\, health\, infrastructures etc.). \nDRM is not only about taxation and savings\, but increasingly about how digital transformation can modernize fiscal systems\, reduce leakages\, and expand the tax base. Digitalization addresses structural bottlenecks—informality\, weak compliance\, and fragmented data systems (by introducing tools that make fiscal administration more efficient\, transparent\, and accessible). \nObjectives: \nThe Experts Group Meeting aims to provide a platform for North African policymakers\, practitioners\, private sector representatives\, and development partners to:\n• Share national experiences on tax modernization through digital technologies and financial inclusion reforms.\n• Examine how innovation\, digitalization\, and technology can enhance DRM in North Africa.\n• Identify opportunities to leverage digital technologies for improved DRM.\n• Discuss policy pathways to formalize informal activity.\n \nExpected Outcomes: \n\n• Enhanced understanding of the role of digital and technological innovations in strengthening DRM capacity across North Africa.\n• Documentation of country experiences and innovations that can be adapted and scaled regionally.\n• Actionable recommendations on improving tax administration through digital technologies.\n• identification of priority areas for regional cooperation\, capacity building\, and international support.\n \nDate & Time: November 12\, 2025 at 9:00 am (GMT+1)\nFormat: Hybrid\nInterpretation: Arabic\, French and English\nEvent live streamed on   \n \n \n\n \n\nConcept Note\n\n\n \n   ArabicSize: 218 Kb \n \n\n   FrenchSize: 261 Kb \n \n\n   EnglishSize: 251 Kb \n\n\n\n \n\nPrograme of Work\n\n\n \n   ArabicSize: 233 Kb \n \n\n   FrenchSize: 267 Kb \n \n\n   EnglishSize: 251 Kb \n\n\n\n \n\nPresentations\n\n\n \n   1-Arthur-Minsat  \n \n   2-Adam-Elhiraika  \n \n   3-Dhafer-Saidane  \n \n   4-Samia-Hamouda  \n \n   5-Christophe-Hurlin  \n \n   6-Aslett-Joshua  \n \n   7-Ali-Hammad  \n \n   8-Awad-Babeker-Eisa  \n \n   9-Zoubir-Benhamouche  \n \n\n\n \nSpeakers\n \n\n \nAdam B. Elhiraika (PhD)\, is the Director of UNECA’s Subregional Office for North Africa. He previously served as Director of Macroeconomics and Governance Division and Macroeconomic Policy Division of ECA\, and Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Sudan (2020-2022) on leave from the UN. Before joining ECA in 2004\, he was a Research Economist at the Islamic Development Bank and Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at several universities. He published extensively in internationally refereed journals\, books and reports. \n\n \n\n \nAli Hammad Ali\, is an international tax policy and administration expert with over 25 years of experience across government\, international organizations\, and private advisory roles. As an Independent Tax Advisor\, he provides strategic counsel on international taxation\, transfer pricing\, and corporate restructuring. Formerly a consultant with UNECA\, he led major tax reforms in North and West Africa. He also worked with the OECD and advised Kuwait and Egypt’s Finance Ministries. He holds an M.A. from Keio University and is pursuing a PhD at Cairo University. \n\n \n\n \nJoshua Aslett\, is a Senior Economist in the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department. Since 2006\, he has advised governments worldwide through roles at the IMF\, World Bank\, and U.S. Treasury. His expertise spans GovTech\, including digital transformation\, IT\, advanced analytics\, and AI. He has authored IMF papers on analytics and AI and the VITARA course on IT and Data Management. He also manages IMF capacity development projects in Europe and the Middle East and holds degrees from Johns Hopkins and the University of Florida. \n\n \n\n \nDhafer Saidane (PhD)\, is a Full Professor at SKEMA Business School. He directs the MSc “Sustainable Finance & FinTech” (Paris–Dubai) and oversees the MSc “Corporate Financial Management” across multiple campuses. A former member of the Tunisian Prime Minister’s Economic Analysis Council\, he chairs the African Finance Network and the Risk Committee of STB Finance. An expert for international institutions\, he has authored seven books\, including African Banks: The Great Challenges (2021)\, and co-founded the ESG impact platform Sustainable Performance Indicator (SPIScore). \n\n \n\n \nArthur J. Minsat (PhD)\, is Senior Economist and Head of the Africa\, Middle East and Europe Unit at the OECD Development Centre. He leads flagship reports such as Africa’s Development Dynamics and Revenue Statistics in Africa\, produced with the African Union Commission. Formerly at UNDP and the African Development Bank\, he co-authored major reports on urbanisation\, entrepreneurship\, and infrastructure. With experience in academia and the private sector\, he taught at the LSE\, King’s College London and Sciences-Po\, he is also a frequent media contributor (Reuters\, CNBS\, Le Monde\, Les Échos\, France 24). \n\n \n\n \nSami Mouley (PhD)\, is Professor of Macroeconomics and International Finance at ESSEC Business School\, University of Tunis. With over 25 years of experience in academia\, research\, and international consultancy\, he has served as Chief Economist at the Maghreb Bank for Investment and the Central Bank of Tunisia. He has advised North African governments on structural reforms and contributed to major reports for the African Development Bank\, World Bank\, UN agencies\, and the EU.
URL:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/event/expert-group-meeting-increasing-domestic-resource-mobilization-through-innovative-policies-and-digital-technologies/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/EGM-Increasing-DRM-2025-v2.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Zoubir Benhamouche":MAILTO:benhamouche@un.org
LOCATION:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/event/expert-group-meeting-increasing-domestic-resource-mobilization-through-innovative-policies-and-digital-technologies/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20251120T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20251120T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T231046
CREATED:20251030T090830Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251120T140454Z
UID:10000045-1763643600-1763650800@knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org
SUMMARY:Middle Income Countries Trap: The Case of North Africa (Online)
DESCRIPTION:Presentation and objectives: \nThe middle-income trap (MIT) refers to countries that\, after reaching a moderate level of development\, experience a growth slowdown that prevents them from advancing further. Traditional explanations\, based on neoclassical\, structural\, and endogenous growth theories\, emphasize the need for capital accumulation\, structural transformation\, technological upgrading\, integration into global value chains\, human capital improvement\, and innovation. However\, this framework is increasingly outdated\, as current middle-income countries (MICs) face new challenges shaped by technological disruption\, geopolitical and economic fragmentation\, population aging\, and especially climate change. These factors create a far more uncertain global environment\, requiring new approaches to sustain development and escape the trap. \nIn this context\, the webinar aims to:\n•	Contribute to a better understanding of the MIT challenges in North Africa in the face of new and deep global challenges\,\n•	Define a new analytical framework that integrates the impacts of the global challenges on the growth options and trajectories of MICs in North Africa\,\n•	Apply the framework to North African countries. \nDate & Time: Thursday 20 November\, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (UTC+1)\nFormat: Online (Zoom)\nInterpretation: Arabic\, French and English\nThis webinar was streamed live on:   \n \n \n\n \n\nConcept Note – Agenda\n\n\n \n   FrenchSize: 209 Kb \n \n   ArabicSize: 193 Kb \n \n   EnglishSize: 205 Kb  \n\n\n\n \n\nPresentations\n\n\n \n   1-Zoubir-Benhamouchet  \n \n   2-Said-Souam  \n \n   3-Adel-Ben-Youssef  \n \n   4-Nabil-Jedlane  \n \n\n\n \nSpeakers\n \n\n \nAdam B. Elhiraika (PhD)\, is the Director of UNECA’s Subregional Office for North Africa. He previously served as Director of Macroeconomics and Governance Division and Macroeconomic Policy Division of ECA\, and Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Sudan (2020-2022) on leave from the UN. Before joining ECA in 2004\, he was a Research Economist at the Islamic Development Bank and Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at several universities. He published extensively in internationally refereed journals\, books and reports. \n\n \n\n \nAdel Ben Youssef (PhD)\, is Associate Professor of Economics at Université Côte d’Azur and member of CNRS-GREDEG. His research focuses on digital and ecological transitions\, notably the “twin transition” linking innovation and sustainability. He has published over 100 papers\, led 40 international projects\, and advised UN agencies. A COP climate negotiator for Tunisia (COP23–29)\, he serves on advisory boards for INCIT\, MENAPAR\, and AISMA. Ranked among the top 1% of economists worldwide\, he received the Auguste Piccard Award for research on digitalization and sustainability. \n\n\n \nNabil Jedlane (PhD)\, is Professor of Economics and International Finance and Director of the LAMSID Research Laboratory at the National School of Business and Management in Tangier (Abdelmalek Essaâdi University). He serves as consultant and expert for the UN-ECA\, UN-ESCWA\, OECD\, and African Union. President of the Scientific Council and Vice-President of the African Finance Network\, he has published extensively on African economic\, financial\, and monetary integration and national and regional development policies. \n\n \n \n\n \nSaïd Souam (PhD)\, is a professor of economics at Paris Nanterre University and deputy director of EconomiX since January 2020. He is a fellow of the Pan-African Scientific Research Council and has taught in France\, Algeria\, and Greece. His research covers industrial economics\, competition policy\, and law and economics. He has published in International Journal of Industrial Organization\, International Review of Law and Economics\, and World Economics\, co-organises the Economies of the Muslim World and EconomIA seminars\, and authored reports on ICT regulation and competition policy. \n\n \n\n \nZoubir Benhamouche (PhD)\, is an Economist at UNECA North Africa Office\, has a diverse background\, including many years of experience in financial markets with PwC and Hiram Finance in France\, and economist at the forecasting directorate of the French Ministry of Economy and Finance. He also taught economics in several universities in France. His work at UNECA focuses on productivity\, governance\, structural transformation\, and climate change. He holds advanced degrees in Economics and Statistics\, an Executive MBA\, and a PhD focusing on inequality\, institutions\, and development.
URL:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/event/middle-income-countries-trap-the-case-of-north-africa-online/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Webinar-MIT-2025-1.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Aziz Jaid":MAILTO:jaid@un.org
LOCATION:https://knowledgehub-sro-na.uneca.org/event/middle-income-countries-trap-the-case-of-north-africa-online/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR