On 10 and 11 May 2011, ESCWA held a workshop entitled Promoting and Benchmarking the ICT Sector in the ESCWA Region at the UN-House in Beirut, Lebanon. The workshop aimed at creating awareness of the solutions for the development of a more productive ICT sector in the ESCWA region and presented an opportunity for participants to contribute to the enhancement of a study entitled "Promoting the ICT Sector to Meet the Challenges of the Knowledge Economy".  The event sought to build capacity to benchmark the ICT sector and to conceive policies, mechanisms and modalities for promoting the impact of the sector on socio-economic development. The topics covered in the event included: (a) The status of the ICT sector and its contribution to national and regional economies; (b) Benchmarking the ICT sector; (c) Challenges and priorities of the sector; (d) Transition to the Knowledge Economy; (e) Vision for the ICT sector in the region.

During the opening session, the Director of the ICT Division, Mr. Yousef Nusseir, highlighted the importance of the ICT sector and its particular role in accelerating the transition of ESCWA member countries to a knowledge-based economy.  Moving to the knowledge economy requires the consolidated efforts of all stakeholders, he added, including governments, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.

The event was attended by 23 participants, mainly ICT experts and policymakers from ESCWA member countries.  Participants discussed a proposed vision for promoting the ICT Sector in the ESCWA region and agreed on a set of recommendations that revolve around four basic pillars, namely (a) Education and training; (b) Information Infrastructure; (c) Enabling economic and institutional regime; and (d) Innovation system.