Survey reveals most Moroccans satisfied with UN, call for anti-corruption focus in Arab region

A recent survey by the Arab Barometer has revealed that a majority of Moroccans are satisfied with the performance of the United Nations and believe that fighting corruption should be its top priority in the Arab world—surpassing even the resolution of regional conflicts such as those in Libya, Syria, and Yemen.

According to the report, titled “Arab Views on the United Nations: Conflict, Corruption, and Credibility,” 66% of surveyed Moroccans expressed satisfaction or strong satisfaction with the UN’s work—the highest approval rating among all Arab respondents.

Sudan followed closely, with 62% of its respondents voicing a positive view of the UN, while Mauritania and Lebanon both recorded approval ratings of 55%.

Dana Abu Hulthem, the report’s author and a political science PhD candidate at the University of Tennessee, explained these high levels of satisfaction in countries like Jordan, Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon, Sudan, and Mauritania as a result of them not having directly experienced international wars involving Western powers. In these countries, she said, the UN is still seen as a key institution for mediation and conflict resolution.

Conversely, the lowest levels of satisfaction with the UN were reported in Palestine (19%) and Libya (38%), reflecting public frustration with the UN’s perceived ineffectiveness in responding to violent conflicts. According to the Arab Barometer, in countries affected by unresolved wars where the UN has played a limited or ineffective role, citizens tend to express much lower levels of trust and approval.

Corruption Seen as Primary Concern

When asked about what the UN’s top priority should be in the Arab region, 29% of Moroccan respondents said the focus should be on combating corruption—compared to 17% who prioritized ending the conflicts in Libya, Syria, and Yemen. Only 13% of Moroccans said resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be the UN’s main concern.

This trend is echoed in other countries. In Lebanon, 52% of respondents believe the UN should prioritize anti-corruption efforts—the highest percentage among surveyed countries—followed by 38% in Mauritania and 37% in Iraq.

In contrast, respondents from Palestine, Algeria, Jordan, and Tunisia identified the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the top regional issue requiring UN attention. In Palestine, 52% of respondents chose it as the UN’s main priority, along with 41% in Algeria, 37% in Jordan, and 33% in Tunisia.

Room for UN to Rebuild Trust

Despite low approval ratings in conflict-affected nations like Palestine, Iraq, and Libya, many respondents still express hope that the UN can play a constructive role in addressing key issues such as the Palestinian cause and internal conflicts in countries like Libya.

Abu Hulthem concluded by raising important questions about the UN’s future role in the region: Can it regain public trust in countries where confidence has waned? What meaningful reforms are needed to align its priorities with the concerns of Arab citizens—especially in areas such as corruption and conflict resolution? And can it maintain strong approval ratings in countries that have not yet experienced disillusionment with its performance?

The findings offer critical insights into how the UN is perceived across the Arab world, underscoring both the opportunities and challenges it faces in fulfilling its mission in a region grappling with complex political and social issues.