Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The five regional commissions were created by the United Nations in order to fulfil the economic and social goals set out in the United Nations Charter by promoting cooperation and integration between the countries in each region of the world and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA, 1973) is one of those. 

 

MEMBERSHIP

ESCWA comprises 14 Arab countries in Western Asia: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. 

 

ESCWA IN THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM

ESCWA forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. 

 

OBJECTIVES

• To support economic and social development in the countries of the region;  
• To promote cooperation between the countries of the region; 
• To encourage interaction between member countries and promote the exchange of experience, best practice and lessons learnt; 
• To achieve regional integration between member countries;  
• To ensure interaction between Western Asia and other regions of the world, familiarizing the outside world with the circumstances and needs of the countries in the region. 

 

PRIORITIES AND PROGRAMMES

The member countries of ESCWA have resolved that the following four issues should take priority in its programmes and activities: 

1. Water and energy

2. Technology

3. Globalization

4. Social policies 

 

The following three issues cut across those priorities: 

1. Statistics

2. The advancement of women

3. Instability and conflict-related issues 

 

MAIN ACTIVITIES

ESCWA implements its activities through the following seven subprogrammes: 

1. Integrated management of natural resources for sustainable development

2. Integrated Social Policies

3. Economic Development and Integration

4. Information and Communications Technology for Regional Integration

5. Statistics for Evidence-based Policymaking

6. Advancement of Women

7. Conflict Mitigation and Development