Amid an ongoing economic and fiscal crisis, Lebanon’s Parliament has approved a major reform to the country’s pension system. But it is likely to face challenges related to benefits, solvency, and coverage.

In order to explore the complexities of our rapidly changing world, the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center will examine pressing global issues through four engaging panel discussions in a one-day event, under the collective title, “The World in Focus: Uncertainty and the Global Outlook for 2024.”

How has the war, which has so thoroughly devastated Gaza, affected the economy of Israel and that of the Israeli-occupied West Bank (including East Jerusalem)? To address these questions and others, the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center is organizing a policy webinar on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 5 PM Beirut time, 10 AM / DC Time, with Raja Khalidi and Timothy Kaldas.

By revamping its social protection system, Lebanon could address its current economic crisis and restore public trust in the government.

The 2019-2020 crises not only swept away the idea that Lebanon is a paragon of economic success, but also made blatant another kind of exceptionalism in the country—its record-high income and wealth inequality, which is perpetuated by the corrupt political economy.

Since the mass protests in October and the ensuing resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Lebanon’s economic and fiscal crisis has accelerated, with the World Bank forecasting a recession.

The political environment in MENA countries has delayed the process of starting the reforms needed to solve problems of poverty and inequality. A road map is needed to improve the institutional capacity within the government organizations responsible for social spending.