Governance

Structure

• The Advisory Board consists of a diverse group of experts from academia, regional organizations, civil society, and the United Nations (UN).
• The board includes representatives from different Arab countries to ensure regional perspective and inclusivity
• The ANDD secretariat, in coordination with the board chair, facilitates the board's activities and meetings.

Members

• The Chairs Trio (past, current and future)
• Prof. Mariam Al-Maadeed, Vice President for Research & Graduate Studies, Qatar University
• Prof. Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Rector, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
• Dr. Ahmad Dallal, President, American University of Cairo
• Mr. Fahad Al-Mohannadi, Member of the Board of Trustees, Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development
• Dr. Math Noortmann, Maastricht University
• Mr. Stian Holen, UN-ESCWA

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide guidance, expertise, and strategic direction to ANDD in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the regional context.
• Advise on ANDD's activities, initiatives, and long-term vision, ensuring their alignment with SDGs and the needs of the Arab region.
• Review and evaluate the progress of ANDD, identifying gaps, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Advise on the development of research programs, projects, and initiatives that contribute to sustainable development in the region.
• Foster collaboration between academia, expert practitioners, and the UN, facilitating knowledge sharing and evidence-based action.
• Support ANDD in identifying emerging trends, challenges, and priorities related to sustainable development in the region, and recommend potential solutions and policy options.
• Advocate for ANDD, enhance its visibility, credibility, and engagement with relevant stakeholders at regional and international levels.
• Facilitate networking opportunities, partnerships, and collaboration among board members and external actors to amplify the impact of ANDD's activities.

Structure

• The Steering Committee consists of key stakeholders involved in the leadership and management of ANDD.
• It includes the past president, current president, president-elect, a representative from the secretariat (ESCWA), and a representative from the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS).

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic guidance, oversight, and coordination to ANDD, ensuring its activities align with the network's objectives and the SDGs.
• Review and approve the annual work plan, budget, and major initiatives proposed by ANDD, ensuring their feasibility and alignment with the network's vision.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between ANDD and its stakeholders, including the UN, academic institutions, and regional organizations.
• Oversee the performance and progress of ANDD, reviewing reports and evaluations to assess the network's impact and identify areas for improvement.
• Support the development of partnerships and resource mobilization efforts to sustain ANDD's activities and expand its reach.
• Coordinate and align the activities of the Advisory Board with the strategic direction of ANDD.
• Ensure effective communication and information exchange between the Steering Committee, Advisory Board, ANDD leadership, and the secretariat.
• Organize meetings, prepare agendas, and document decisions and recommendations of the Steering Committee.

Task Teams

• Task teams are temporary groups established to address specific projects, initiatives, or time-bound tasks within the scope of ANDD's work.
• Task teams are composed of experts and stakeholders with relevant expertise and skills required for the specific task at hand.
• The role of task teams is to plan, execute, and deliver specific objectives within a defined timeline.
• Task teams work closely with the Steering Committee and relevant working groups to ensure coordination, alignment, and integration of their efforts.
• They may be responsible for developing specific deliverables, organizing events, conducting studies, or implementing targeted interventions to support ANDD's goals.
• Task teams provide regular updates and progress reports to the Steering Committee and other relevant bodies within ANDD.

Working Groups

• Working groups are smaller subgroups within ANDD that focus on specific thematic areas or cross-cutting issues related to sustainable development in the Arab region.
• Working groups are formed based on the identified priorities and needs of ANDD and may include members from the Advisory Board, Steering Committee, academia, and other relevant stakeholders.
• The primary role of working groups is to conduct in-depth research, analysis, and knowledge generation on specific topics within their mandate.
• Working groups contribute to evidence-based policy-making by producing research papers, policy briefs, and recommendations on their respective areas of expertise.
• They collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including policymakers, experts, and practitioners, to ensure the applicability and impact of their work.
• Working groups also facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building, and networking opportunities within their thematic areas, both within ANDD and with external partners.