Dr. Hanif Hassan Al Qassim, Chairman of the Board of the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue, has said that the unprecedented rise of violence and insecurity in the Arab region breeds poverty and societal decline.

On the advent of the 2017 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, he said, "The spread of conflict and violence have left a social and political vacuum that has been filled by violent and extremist groups. Insecurity driven poverty and fragile societies, gripped by violence and conflict, have thrown Arab countries into chronic poverty and societal decline."

The Geneva Centre Chairman added, "The adverse impact of climate change has contributed to exacerbating all forms of poverty and food insecurity in the Arab region as a result of lack of access to renewable and non-renewable resources. Depletion of resources, desertification and water scarcity are indiscriminately affecting countries in the Middle East and North Africa. It has given rise to an ecological crisis affecting the livelihood of millions of people and forcing many to flee."

He concluded by saying that addressing the multi-dimensional elements of poverty in the Arab region requires the adoption of a comprehensive approach addressing the root-causes of extreme poverty in the Arab region.

The Geneva Centre is a think-tank dedicated to the promotion of human rights through cross-cultural, political, religious and civilisational dialogue between the Global North and the Global South, and through training of the upcoming generations of stakeholders in the Arab region.

The main objectives of the Geneva Centre are to contribute to the safeguarding of, and respect for, human rights and dignity in accordance with established international standards and encourage global dialogue on the values of justice, tolerance and rejection of extremism and bigotry and promote, amongst others, the principles of understanding, constructive humanistic dialogue and respect of others.