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      Why do so many women across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) still face barriers to work—and what would change if they could fully participate in the economy?

      Join us for the Fall 2025 MENAAP Economic Update to find out. Experts will share the latest regional economic insights and spotlight persistent barriers limiting female labor force participation, while showcasing reform pathways spanning social norms, legal frameworks, safe transport, employer practices, and childcare. The event aims to advance the policy agenda and drive actionable next steps, fostering collaboration and commitment to transformative change across the region.

      The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) economic update, released twice a year in April and October by the Office of the MENA Chief Economist, assesses growth prospects and provides in-depth analysis on topical economic policy issues for the region. This update provides timely insights on the region's economic trends, challenges, and opportunities, helping to shape strategic economic priorities.

      - Visit the report website

      10:00 – 10:05 am / Welcome & Protocol
      Fayçal Tadlaoui, Master of Ceremonies

      10:05 – 10:15 am / Opening Remarks
      H.E. Nadia Fettah, Minister of Economy and Finance, Morocco

      10:15 – 10:25 am / Economic Outlook Presentation
      Roberta Gatti, MENAAP Chief Economist
      Key themes: regional outlook, private sector constraints, women and growth

      10:25 – 11:00 am / High-Level Panel Discussion
      Moderator: Fayçal Tadlaoui, Master of Ceremonies
      Panelists:
      - H.E. Nadia Fettah, Minister of Economy and Finance, Morocco
      - Dr. Selim Gulesci, Associate Professor, Trinity College Dublin
      - Dr. Mary Kawar, Director, Regional Hub for the Arab States, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Jordan
      - Ghita Lahlou, Civil Society and Private Sector Representative, Les Citoyens & CGEM

      - Do I need to register?
      This streaming program is public — you do not need to register to watch.

      - What should I do if the video isn’t playing?
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      - Where can I find the event program?
      For most events, the agenda is posted on this page ahead of time. If you don’t see it yet, please check back closer to the event date itself.

      - Can I watch the recording if I missed the live broadcast?
      Yes. The recording will be on this page as soon as the program ends. If you sign up for email reminders, you’ll get a message a few days after the event inviting you to watch the replay and view any new resources.

      - Can I watch the replay with closed captions?
      Yes. A fully edited transcript and closed captions will be available within 48 hours after the event ends. You can also enable automated captions (and automated translation) in the video player. Please note: automated captions and translations are not verified by the World Bank Group.

      In Your Opinion...

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