ESCWA shed light in a report it launched Tuesday on the state of the Information Society in the Arab region, emphasizing the great disparities that exist among countries in the region in this sector. Entitled “Regional Profile of the Information Society in Western Asia – 2009”, the report disclosed an increase in literacy in this region, while also noting that half of all Arab women still suffer from illiteracy.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia opened this morning the senior officials segment of its 26th Session at the UN House, Beirut. The Session’s Ministerial segment will be held this Wednesday under the auspices of Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri.

As is the custom at the beginning of every Session, the chairmanship is assumed by one of the member countries. By virtue of this rule, Jordan was chosen as chair for the two coming years, while United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were selected as vice-chair, and Syria as rapporteur.

Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri opened today ESCWA’s 26th Ministerial Session held under the theme “Youth are Change” at the UN House, Beirut, amidst a crowd of Arab ministers, officials and media representatives. In addition to the statement of Berri, the opening of the Session featured statements by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, delivered on his behalf by ESCWA Executive Secretary Bader AlDafa, who read ESCWA’s statement well.

On 5 June (World Environment Day) 2007, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all UN agencies, funds and programs to become climate neutral and 'go green'. Since then, all UN organizations have been working together to put in place systems and procedures to measure and reduce the environmental impacts of the UN family. “I would like to see our renovated Headquarters complex eventually become a globally acclaimed model of efficient use of energy and resources.