Sunday, 15 January 2012 (United Nation Information Service) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on those who believe in a future of freedom and dignity to come together and help people of the region and their leaders to write the next chapters. He said that from the very beginning of these revolutions, from Tunisia through Egypt and beyond, he has called on leaders to listen to their people, a call that some heeded and benefitted while others did not, and today are facing the storm. "I say again to President Assad of Syria: Stop the violence. Stop killing your own people.

Beirut, 31 January 2012 (United Nations Information Centre) – A United Nations ESCWA annual survey on the Economic and Social Developments for 2010-2011 was released today, reflecting the dramatic changes the region has witnessed while moving from the first to the second decade of the 21st century. The survey made observations, provided data to understand and explain the dynamics of regional, sub-regional and country-specific social and economic trends. Its objective is to provide a snapshot of the current socioeconomic situation and an outlook for 2012.

Beirut, 6 February 2012 (UN Information Service) – The Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Nadim Khouri called for the need to take advantage of available opportunities to improve food security in the region through trade and foreign investments to ensure benefits for all.

Beirut, 21 February 2012 (UN Information Services) — Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) today said the Arab Spring is a knowledge and professional challenge for United Nations agencies which these organizations do not shun, and have rather begun to reconsider the development paradigm itself building on lessons from this experience.