UN Launches New Round of Libyan Economic Dialogue

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has officially announced the launch of the third round of the economic track within the comprehensive political process. This round comes as part of international efforts to support political and economic stability in Libya, held amid regional and international conditions requiring accelerated political solutions. The economic track is one of the main pathways adopted by the UN to resolve the Libyan crisis.

Round Objectives

The third round aims to build on achievements from the previous two rounds, focusing on several vital economic files, most notably unifying the general budget, reforming the banking sector, and improving natural resource management. The round will also address ways to enhance transparency and combat corruption in Libyan economic institutions, and unifying economic institutions divided between east and west. These files represent key points of disagreement hindering a comprehensive political solution.

Participants

The round includes representatives from various Libyan economic institutions, including the Central Bank of Libya, the National Oil Corporation, and the Ministry of Finance, alongside international economic experts and Libyan civil society representatives. The round is expected to last several weeks of intensive negotiations. The UN confirmed that success requires genuine will from all parties to reach agreements serving the Libyan people's interests.

Expectations

Observers hope this round will yield tangible agreements contributing to improving economic conditions for Libyan citizens, especially given the living challenges they face. The economic track is also expected to form a cornerstone of any comprehensive political solution. The UN envoy confirmed the UN will continue supporting Libyans on their path toward stability and prosperity.

Lessons Learned from Previous Rounds

The third round has benefited from lessons learned in the previous two rounds, with main points of disagreement identified and work underway to find mutually acceptable middle-ground solutions. The previous two rounds showed that reaching an agreement requires genuine political will and mutual concessions from all parties. UN facilitators hope this round will achieve a real breakthrough in outstanding economic files.

Relationship Between Economic and Political Tracks

The economic track forms an integral part of Libya's comprehensive political process, closely linked to other political and security tracks. All parties recognize that reaching a comprehensive economic agreement would contribute to creating a positive climate facilitating a political solution ending years of division and conflict in Libya.

Lessons from Previous Rounds

The third round has benefited from lessons learned in previous rounds, with main points of disagreement identified and work underway to find mutually acceptable solutions. Previous rounds showed that reaching an agreement requires genuine political will and mutual concessions.

Economic and Political Track Relationship

The economic track forms an integral part of Libya's comprehensive political process, closely linked to other political and security tracks. All parties recognize that a comprehensive economic agreement would create a positive climate facilitating a political solution.

Outstanding Economic Files

The third round addresses several outstanding economic files, notably restructuring the unified Central Bank of Libya, unifying the Libyan dinar exchange rate, and reforming the government subsidy system. These files represent key points of disagreement among Libyan parties and are expected to require intensive negotiations to reach mutually acceptable agreements.