TRIPOLI – Members of the Structured Dialogue Economy Track met in Tripoli over four days this week to discuss key issues related to economic policy, macroeconomic stability, and measures to strengthen economic transparency and accountability, while also initiating work on their draft outcome document.
The sessions included presentations from African Development Bank and Chatham House experts on relevant technical and policy areas. Members were also joined by a member from the Youth Communications Volunteers, who observed one session with the aim of reporting back to young people across Libya and helping explain how the Structured Dialogue process is intended to contribute to improving their lives. As the session was proceeded by deliberations of the Libyan Women Caucus, the economic track members also benefited from their specific recommendations and priorities aimed at strengthening inclusive oversight and economic governance in Libya.
The meetings were attended by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and Resident Coordinator, Ulrika Richardson, and the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Stephanie Koury. Participants underscored the need for a coherent and integrated package of fiscal, monetary, exchange rate, and trade policies to help restore macroeconomic stability. They also highlighted the importance of taking political constraints into account while identifying practical, implementable measures to protect purchasing power and support overall economic stability.
“Thorough out the discussions in the economic track, members have made it very clear that a solution to how to manage the country’s wealth needs to be found, and that it is urgent!” said DSRSG RC Richardson. “Economic revenues could be, and should be, reinvested productively into education, healthcare and infrastructure. Libya is a rich country, and its people – men and women alike - should be benefiting from its vast resources. While some initiatives are underway, more could be achieved with a more balanced and transparent approach to reinvestment of revenues across the country. This should include also urgently addressing illicit flows of resources out of the country.”
Discussions further emphasised the importance of effective oversight mechanisms, including societal accountability through public access to information and sustained public engagement. Participants agreed that persistent challenges related to transparency contribute to fiscal mismanagement and corruption, particularly in public finances, fuel subsidies, and procurement systems, and must be addressed as a priority to help restore stability and strengthen public trust.
UNSMIL also shared with track members the results of the “Have Your Say” survey, which gathered responses from approximately 6,000 participants, with a particular focus on economic and financial findings derived from various polls and public engagement efforts. These outreach initiatives aim to ground the dialogue in lived realities. By drawing on data from thousands of Libyans, as well as consultations with civil society, the Mission seeks to ensure that the technical proposals presented to Structured Dialogue members across the four tracks reflect the needs and priorities of the population, rather than being driven solely by political considerations.
The survey findings highlight combating corruption, strengthening accountability and transparency, and creating employment opportunities - particularly for youth - as top economic priorities. Respondents also expressed concerns over the high cost of living and pressures on household incomes. They underscored the importance of economic stability to ensure reliable public services and protect purchasing power, while calling for more inclusive economic opportunities that benefit women, young people, and all regions of the country. Strengthening the private sector and improving the investment climate were identified as key pathways to achieving sustainable growth and enhancing livelihoods nationwide.
The work of the Economy Track aligns with UNSMIL’s mandate to use its good offices to facilitate an inclusive, Libyan-owned and Libyan-led political process, without determining outcomes, and to advance consensus on governance arrangements toward elections and long-term stability. They will meet one more time in person in May for a week, and will then draft their outcome document for submission to UNSMIL in June.
The Structured Dialogue is not a decision-making body for the selection of a government but rather explores concrete recommendations to create a conducive environment for elections and address more immediate governance, economic, security and national reconciliation and human rights challenges to strengthen state institutions and needed reforms. By examining and developing policy and legislative proposals to address long-term conflict drivers, the work of the Structured Dialogue aims to build consensus on a national vision that will shape the path to peace and stability.
