Beirut, 13 February 2019 (ESCWA)--United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Rola Dashti today called on Lebanese President Michel Aoun and discussed with him challenges facing development in Lebanon and the region.
 
Ms. Dashti congratulated President Aoun for the Cabinet formation and praised the appointment of four female ministers, including the first Minister of Interior in the Arab region, reflecting the leading role of Lebanon in supporting women.
 
She heard support from the Lebanese President and stressed in return the support of ESCWA to Lebanon, namely in terms of fighting poverty, creating job opportunities for youth, women empowerment, energy, water, environment, and economic and social development.
 
Ms. Dashti underscored that the path to development and the implementation of 2030 Agenda require diligent work on combating poverty, and this is what ESCWA will do through its programmes in the service of the region.
 
Ms. Dashti highlighted that ESCWA will carry out projects in cooperation with relevant ministries in Lebanon and the Arab region which registers the highest rate of youth unemployment in the world reaching 30 percent, despite their skills and capabilities.
 
She added that the regional commission will continue following up on the economic dossier and economic development, while supporting through development projects the creation of opportunities to youth in Lebanon and the region, which will reflect positively on protecting the middle class that can provide stability in Arab States.

 
For more information:
-Nabil Abu-Dargham, Head, ESCWA Communication and Information Unit,
+961-70-993-144; email: dargham@un.org
-Ms Rania Harb, Public Information Assistant, +961-70-008-879; email: harb1@un.org