For this year’s IMF-WBG Spring Meetings, taking place in Washington D.C. from April 21-26, ARI’s Social Protection Program is launching an advocacy campaign centered on two key pillars of its 2025 strategy – both reflecting the Arab region’s pressing priorities and present complex challenges: (i) the nexus of neoliberal economic policies, the world of work, and social protection; and (ii) the reform and reconstruction phase in Lebanon and Syria. The campaign includes four panel discussions as part of the Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF), as well as bilateral meetings and participation in closed roundtables with senior representatives of both International Financial Institutions (IFIs). Its aim is to follow up on key messages delivered during the 2024 meetings, and to present policy recommendations informed by ARI’s published research and emerging findings from ongoing work – particularly on socioeconomic reforms in post-conflict contexts (especially Syria and Lebanon), and the intersection of labor and social protection policies in light of global and national challenges.

“As the Arab region navigates active conflict settings and post-conflict transitions, while its economies struggle against decay, unemployment, poverty, and inequality, its Future of Work stands at a crossroads between a challenging baseline and a wave of rapid digital transformations, green and energy transitions, and persistent labor market flexibilization and deregulation policies – all of which are mutually reinforcing. The IMF and the World Bank Group have a critical role to play in helping the region and the broader Global South overcome this impasse through key economic reforms that are inclusive, socially sensitive, and just.” – Farah Al Shami, Senior Fellow and Social Protection Program Director at ARI

1. CSPF Session on “Building Back Better: The Path for Inclusive, Sustainable, and Transformative Reconstruction in Lebanon and Syria”

For more about this event, click here.

You can now watch the recording

2. CSPF Session on “When Labor Goes Digital: Ensuring Decent Work and Social Security in the Platform Economy”

To join the session online, click here.

You can now watch the recording

3. CSPF Session on “Missing Labor: Fixing the Fund’s Approach to the Gendered Division of Labor”

To join the session online, click here.

You can now watch the recording

4. CSPF Session on “Austerity vs. Protection: Labor's Perspective on the IMF's Contradictory Social Spending Approach Organizers”

Tuesday April 22nd from 11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. (D.C. Time)

To join the session online, click here.

You can now watch the recording