ESCWA Executive Secretary yesterday discussed bilateral relations with Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji Otri, examining ways to strengthen and develop them, namely in areas of rehabilitation and training, and also touching on development and service fields. The meeting was an occasion to give an overview for work ESCWA undertakes, in addition to its contribution to building national technological capacities and using them to the best interest of Arab social and economic development.

The meeting was part of a two-day official visit, which AlDafa is taking to Syria, along with a delegation of senior ESCWA officials. In this context, ESCWA Executive Secretary had meetings with Chairperson of the State Planning Commission, Tayssir Raddawi, Minister of Local Administration Fouad Hijja, and Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Diala AlHajj Aref.

 

AlDafa discussed with Syrian officials ways to strengthen regional and international cooperation, achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), establish the National Observatory for Science, Technology and Innovation to be hosted in the Ministry of Communications and Technology in cooperation with ESCWA. Officials also discussed the possibility of hosting ESCWA's regional Centre for Technology in Syria.

 

Discussions extended to the issues to be examined at the "Regional High-Level Consultative Forum on the Impacts of the International Financial Crisis on the ESCWA Member Countries: the Way Forward", which ESCWA is co-organizing with the International Labour Organization and the State Planning Commission in Syria, on 5-7 May in Damascus. Talks highlighted the importance of these issues in studying the effects of the global financial crisis over ESCWA member countries.

 

The aim of the official visit is to meet with senior Syrian officials to discuss strengthening cooperation and partnership with Syria, and draw a long-term cooperation program in different fields, namely those concerning development challenges and studies.

 

The high-level consultative forum to be held in Damascus this coming week is one of the most vital on the regional level. The meeting draws its importance from the issues to be discussed concerning the repercussion of the global financial crisis over ESCWA member countries. It will also offer an opportunity to benefit of the international expertise of specialized researchers.

 

AlDafa and the accompanying delegation are also to meet with Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdullah Dardari, and Minister of State for Environment, Kawkab Al Sabah Muhammad Jamil Daya