ESCWA Executive Secretary Mohamed Ali Alhakim conducted in the past two weeks several high-level meetings with senior Lebanese officials and congratulated them on the success of the Parliamentary Elections. Mr. Alhakim met with former President Amin Gemayel, Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri, former Prime Ministers Tammam Salam and Najib Mikati, and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.
 
Mr. Alhakim discussed with Mr. Gemayel the general situation and the role of ESCWA in the forthcoming period. “We discussed what ESCWA can do in terms of technology, youth, women and women’s participation in the labour force, as well as youth employment,” the Executive Secretary said.

During his meeting with Mr. Hariri, Mr. Alhakim expressed his hope that the latter would personally attend the upcoming UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development scheduled to take place in New York between 9 and 18 July where Lebanon will be leading the presentation of the Arab report.
 
Mr. Alhakim also met with Mr. Salam and discussed the upcoming 30th Ministerial Session of ESCWA and finding job opportunities for youth. “We also spoke about Beirut as an intellectually and culturally open city.
 
Mr. Alhakim had also called on Mr. Mikati to congratulate him on his re-election. The officials discussed economic and social activities of ESCWA especially in Tripoli.
 
Also, Mr. Alhakim paid a protocol visit to Mr. Geagea and discussed with him the general situation.