The session is jointly organized by WFP, UNHCR, and UNICEF in the context of the Brussels VI Conference – Supporting the future of Syria and the region. The side event would build on the key issues covered by the recent Arab Ministerial Meeting on “The future of Social Protection in the Arab Region: building a vision for a post-COVID-19 reality” that took place on 30 November 2021. The Ministerial Declaration highlighted a commitment to enhance coverage of social protection programmes in the region to ensure no one is left behind with a particular focus on vulnerable groups, enhancing the shockresponsiveness
of social protection systems, and improving financing, governance and coordination of social protection systems, including strengthening the link between national and international social protection actors.

Moderator
Ms. Karen Peachey, Director, CALP Network

Panelists
H.E. Mr. Ayman Riad Saeid Almuflih, Minister of Social Development, Jordan
H.E. Dr. Hector Hajjar, Minister for Social Affairs, Lebanon
H.E. Dr Maher Hammed Johan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Planning Federal,
H.E. Ms. Zakia Sayed Salih, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Mr. Imran Riza, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Syria