UNESCWA Executive Secretary Mervat Tallawy today expressed her appreciation for the firm support of the United Arab Emirates to UNESCWA and its commitment to the continuation of the regional commission’s programmes and activities. This continuation has allowed UNESCWA to provide its services to all the member countries despite the critical situation in Beirut, the permanent headquarters of UNESCWA.

Tallawy had received a letter from UAE Economy Minister, Sheikha Lubna Al Kassimi, commending the constructive efforts of UNESCWA to support regional cooperation in the framework of coordination and cooperation between its member countries.

Al-Kassimi expressed a commitment to the continuity of UNESCWA activities and the provision of its services to all the member countries in light of the pressing situation.

It is worth noting that UNESCWA has established a temporary office at the UN headquarters in Vienna to facilitate communication with the member countries and to follow up on the scheduled UNESCWA work programme despite the current situation in Lebanon.

At the start of the war on Lebanon, Tallawy announced that Beirut would remain the permanent headquarters of UNESCWA and that the commission will resume its activities in the Lebanese capital as soon as the situation stabilizes. The Executive Secretary also pointed out that a team is currently following up on the progress of these programmes from Beirut, while the temporary UNESCWA offices in Vienna will be serving as a reference point for its operations.