BEIRUT, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Many Arab countries are falling behind in tackling multidimensional poverty, with progress described as slow, uneven, and in some cases stalled, according to a new UN report released Tuesday. The ESCWA policy brief, "Multidimensional Poverty Reduction: An Unfinished Mission in Several Arab Countries," highlighted minimal gains in Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia over the past decade in education, health, nutrition, and access to basic services. Yemen faces the region's most severe crisis, with multidimensional poverty hovering around 38 percent amid conflict, economic collapse, climate shocks, and restricted humanitarian access. "Unless countries close gaps in education, nutrition, and basic services, millions will remain trapped in cycles of deprivation." "The mission of reducing multidimensional poverty is not yet complete," Abu Ismail said.