This issue presents a number of regional initiatives and projects in information and communications technology (ICT), including Internet domain names in Arabic, knowledge networks to provide local and marginalized communities with access to ICT, and the translation into Arabic of ICT terminology. Under the section on ICT policies, this issue presents an overview of those policies in ESCWA member countries. Under electronic applications, it highlights the Arab world memory project. Under ICT infrastructure, it reviews the progress achieved in the establishment of the Arab integrated fiber optic communications network. This issue also presents the ICT activities implemented by ESCWA in the first six months of 2008 and the ICT impact on daily life.