The Arab Human Development Report 2009 will be launched on 21 and 22 July in Beirut, Lebanon.  The report titled “Challenges to Human Security in the Arab Countries,” focuses on human security as a prerequisite for human development, and examines how its shortcomings in some Arab countries have hindered their progress.
 
It covers the following areas of human security
1) Demographic pressures and environmental security
2) The role of the Arab State regarding human security
3) The personal insecurity of vulnerable groups
4) Economic volatility, unemployment and poverty
5) Hunger and food security
6) Health security and
7)  Occupation and military intervention as fundamental threats to human security.

The Report argues that ‘state security’ and ‘human security’ are interconnected, mutually-reinforcing goals. It stresses that giving precedence to the former has prevented the achievement of either goal. It note that a focus on human security in its multiple dimensions—a primary responsibility of the state—maximises development opportunities and reinforces the security of the state. The Arab Human Development Report 2009 emphasizes the need for Arab governments and partners, including civil society and the private sector, to re-orient development policy around people’s security, and not just state security.

Read: AHDR Main Press Release

Read full: AHDR 2009

Read: The Report in brief