First Arab Consumer Protection Forum

The Arab region is making strides in improving consumer protection frameworks, marked by legislative and legal reforms aimed at addressing gaps or deficiencies. Consumer information and education campaigns have contributed to raise consumers and businesses’ awareness of their rights in the marketplace. However, better policies and enforcement require pooling resources and learning from each other.

For this reason, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Consumer Protection Directorate under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain, are launching the first Arab Consumer Protection Forum to serve as a platform for continual knowledge-sharing on consumer protection policy and enforcement among Arab stakeholders.

The Forum aims to enhance economic growth and governance in the Arab region, in line with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals, in promoting collaboration and coordination among consumer protection authorities in ESCWA Member States. It also aims to inform consumer protection policy-making and enforcement in the Arab region, guided by international best practices, and generate concrete recommendations for future activities aimed at advancing consumer protection policy and enforcement in the Arab region.  

The first Arab Consumer Protection Forum will bring together representatives of consumer protection authorities from ESCWA member States. Over the course of two days, participants will engage in peer learning, and examine regional and international experiences and successful practices implemented by their counterparts in different countries. This knowledge-sharing event aims to enhance the understanding and expertise of consumer protection authorities, thus driving the development of more effective consumer protection frameworks in the Arab region.

Objectives of the first Arab Consumer Protection Forum include the following:
•    Enhancing economic growth and governance in the Arab region, in line with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Forum aims to contribute substantively towards achieving sustainable economic development by protecting consumer rights and promoting responsible business and consumer practices.
•    Promoting collaboration and coordination among consumer protection authorities in ESCWA member states. By facilitating knowledge sharing, exchanging experiences, and promoting best practices, the Forum aims to strengthen the collective efforts of Arab countries in ensuring effective consumer protection measures.
•    Informing consumer protection policymaking and enforcement in the Arab region, guided by international best practices. The Forum seeks to provide a platform for dialogue, research and knowledge dissemination, enabling policymakers and enforcement agencies to make informed decisions and enhance their consumer protection frameworks.
•    Generating concrete recommendations for future activities aimed at advancing consumer protection policy and enforcement in the Arab region. Through discussions and interactive sessions, the Forum aims to identify emerging challenges, gaps and opportunities in consumer protection, and formulate actionable recommendations for future initiatives and collaborations.

The Forum will foster dialogue among representatives of consumer protection authorities in the Arab region, academia, United Nations and international organizations, regional organizations, and international experts engaged in consumer protection policy and enforcement.

The meeting will be conducted in Arabic and English. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided between Arabic and English for onsite and online participants.