Supported by ESCWA, the Lebanese Ministry of Environment and the UN Development Program (UNDP), IPT Energy Centre (IPTEC) launched today the “National Campaign for Air Pollution Reduction in Lebanon through Efficient Use in Land Transportation” . The event was held under the patronage of Lebanese Minister of Environment Nazem Khoury at the Ministry premises. In addition to the minister, speakers included Roula Majdalani, ESCWA Director of Sustainable Development and Productivity Division (SDPD) and IPTEC President Toni Issa.

A group of students from the University of Aarhus (Denmark) visited ESCWA today and learned about its objectives and programmes. The students were briefed on the role of ESCWA, as one of the United Nations Regional Commissions, and the opportunities and challenges facing the region.

A group of students of different majors from the American University of Science and Technology (AUST) visited ESCWA on 19 May 2012, where they learned about the Commission’s objectives and programmes. Chief of ESCWA Social Participatory Development Section (SPDS) Maha Yahya briefed them on the role of ESCWA as one of the United Nations Regional Commissions and the opportunities and challenges facing the region. She focused on regional priority agenda items and the Commission’s work with civil society organizations.

Mr. Marwan Kheireddine, Lebanese Minister of State, Dr. Rima Khalaf, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCWA, Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the Delegation of the European Union, and Mr. Rida Saidi, Tunisia’s Minister of Economy, will open the First ESCWA Arab Economics Forum at 10:00 am on Friday 23 November 2012 at the ESCWA headquarters, Riad Solh Square, Beirut. The Forum will conclude on 24 November 2012.