Cyber-crime is an emerging global threat which affects developed and developing countries alike. This Review examines selected aspects of cybercrime, underlining its effect on the socioeconomic development of the Arab region. Those aspects include the action of cyberdissidents and hacktivists, as well as specific cases of cybercrime in the region. The publication reviews the project on the regional harmonization of cyberlegislation undertaken by ESCWA, and stresses its importance in the fight against cybercrime.

The Review also addresses the issue of e-governance and its contribution to the economic development of the Arab region, in the light of international experiences in the field. It presents the first global web index launched by the Web Foundation and discusses its results for the Arab region. The publication finally reviews ESCWA activities in the field of ICTs for the second half of 2012.