What are the cumulative effects of the political changes and conflicts that began in 2011, and their impacts on the region’s prospects? Does economic and political uncertainty in the Arab region continue to restrain its prospects for growth, job creation and stability? What is the state of economic expansion?  And how do persistently low global oil prices affect the regional economy? 

To answer these questions, Director of ESCWA Economic Development and Integration Division Mohamed el Moctar Mohamed el Hacene is holding a press briefing at 11:00 AM on  Thursday 10 November 2016 at the UN House, Riad El Solh square, where he will present key analytical observations of the “Survey of Economic and Social Developments in the Arab Region 2015-2016,” an annual ESCWA publication. Speakers in the briefing also include Chief of ESCWA Modeling and Forecasting Section (MFS) Mohamed Hedi Bchir and MFS First Economic Affairs Officer Yasuhisa Yamamoto. 

The Survey 2015-2016 reviews the state of socio-economic development in the Arab region on a regular basis. It assesses the trend of economic and social developments in the global as well as the regional contexts. It also addresses gender issues in the region. Women in the Arab region still suffer from inequality at all levels with little positive developments recorded for women in some areas such as labour force participation and political representation in a few countries. 

Media institutions wishing to assign representatives to cover this ceremony are kindly requested to confirm their attendance on the number below by Wednesday 9 November in order to facilitate their entrance into the UN House:  +961-76-04 64 02