Beirut, 10 June 2019 (ESCWA)--United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA Rola Dashti today commended the efforts of the Republic of Tunisia and its people at the socio-economic level and the creation of job opportunities for young people. Dashti’s statement came after the signing of an agreement between the Tunisian government and ESCWA on the preparations of hosting the 31^st ministerial session of ESCWA, which will be held in 2020.
 
The Tunisian delegation included Minister of Economic Reform Tawfic Rajhi, Ambassador of Tunisia to Lebanon Mohamed Karim Boudali, Minister Counseller in Tunisia Ridha Chehidia, Consul Samir Sassi, and Chargé d’Affaires of the Body on Follow-Up of Public Programs Badr El-Din El Baraykieh.
 
Dashti discussed with the Tunisian delegation several matters including technical cooperation between ESCWA and Tunis in various fields, public policies, international trade, social issues, etc. She also expressed her appreciation to Tunis for hosting the 31^st Ministerial Session and called for further cooperation in other areas.
 
Rajhi, for his part, said that discussions revolved around the good ties between Tunis and ESCWA pointing out that since it joined ESCWA in 2012, Tunis benefited greatly from the technical cooperation provided by the Commission. The two parties also explored the preparations for the 31^st Ministerial Session. Rajhi highlighted the Tunisian major reforms, which are considered by the Tunisians as a pioneering experience in the Arab world.
 
It is worth noting that the Ministerial Session, held every two years, is the main governing body of ESCWA and it comprises two segments: the senior officials segment and the ministerial segment.  Ministers and high-level member State officials from across the region convene to discuss the activities of the Secretariat, its future work program, and key economic and social development issues facing the region.
 
The 30th Session was held from 25 to 28 June 2018 in Beirut, Lebanon. It was opened by in the presence of the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Michel Aoun. The session concluded by adopting the “Beirut Consensus on Technology for Sustainable Development,” which was the main theme of the session.
 

 
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
-Ms Maryam Sleiman, Public Information Assistant, +9611978815, email: sleiman2@un.org