UN Projects Arab Region Economic Recovery

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) released a Feb. 25 report projecting the Arab region’s growth to reach 3.7% in 2026, up from 2.9% in 2025, and regional inflation to fall to 5.4% in 2026 from 8.2% in 2025. The report cites diversification and sizable energy investments—including about $40 billion in Saudi upstream oil and gas in 2025—while warning that conflicts, trade disruptions and fiscal fragility could jeopardize recovery.