The Executive Committee was established pursuant to Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) resolution 320 (XXVIII),  which amended the terms of reference of the Technical Committee, redesignating it and increasing its executive role within ESCWA.  The Executive Committee plays an important role in steering and coordinating the Commission’s activities, tracking the implementation of recommendations and following up on important regional and global issues, in particular the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  The Executive Committee held its fourth meeting in Beirut on 13 and 14 December 2017.

The fifth meeting of the Executive Committee will follow-up on the implementation of its fourth meeting recommendations, and of the Beirut Consensus on Technology for Sustainable Development in the Arab region and the resolutions of the thirtieth ministerial session. Participants will also address regional and global issues, including financing for development: progress in the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in the Arab region; the Arab Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Development Data; the situation of the Palestinian economy, particularly the industrial sector, under the Israeli occupation; and the repercussions of climate change in the Arab region. Topics of discussion will also include the Arab Regional Conference on Population and Development: five years after the 2013 Cairo Declaration; support for member States in their periodic review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 25 years after their adoption; and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the Arab region. The fifth session of the Executive Committee will also discuss the proposed work program for 2020 and technical cooperation activities for 2018.