1st Meeting of the Thematic Working Group on the Millennium Development Goals in the Arab Region (TWG on Arab MDGs)
23
July
2009
Location:
Beirut
Theme:
The Thematic Working Group (TWG) on the Millennium Development Goals in the Arab Region MDGs was established pursuant to the decisions of the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM)[1] taken at its 12th meeting held in Beirut on 13-14 September 2008. The 12th RCM agreed on "the establishment of three proposed thematic working groups (TWGs), subsidiary to RCM, focusing on MDGs in the Arab region, climate change[2], and food security[3], respectively[4]."
The 12th RCM designated ESCWA to be the "convening entity" of the TWG on MDGs in the Arab Region. The 12th RCM also agreed that follow-up actions were needed, as follows:
(a) A draft action plan for the TWG shall be prepared on potential areas for collaboration;
(b) Date, venue and agenda of the first meeting should be set and announced to all entities having expressed an interest in joining TWG.
[1] The Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM), formerly known as the "Regional Coordination Group (RCG)", was established pursuant to ECOSOC Resolution 1998/46, which recognized that "The team leadership role of Regional Commissions calls for their holding regular inter-agency meetings in each region with a view to improving coordination among the work programmes of the organizations of United Nations system in that region". ESCWA has been holding RCM meetings since 1999.
[2] TWG on climate change convened by UNEP-ROWA has agreed on the TOR (1st meeting, Cairo, 26 November 2008)
[3] TWG on food security convened by FAO in cooperation with the World Bank
[4] United Nations, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, "Report of the Twelfth Meeting of the Regional Coordination Mechanism, Beirut, 13-14 September 2008", E/ESCWA/OES/RCM.12/3
A. Meeting Details