This meeting will focus on discussing the results of the research and assessment completed by ESCWA and the analysis of the national legislations in each member country and identifying the main challenges and recommendations.

Within the framework of the “Regional Initiative for Promoting Small-Scale Renewable Energy Applications in Rural Areas of the Arab Region (REGEND)” Project, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in partnership with the Municipality of Chaqdouf, is organizing a capacity-building workshop on “The Use of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technologies and Applications for Rural Development in Lebanon”.
 
This workshop will introduce rural women to renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and applications in rural areas and will raise their awareness on how they can enable and promote sustainable rural development, gender and youth empowerment, and economic benefits through their proper integration with productive activities.

Within the framework of the “Regional Initiative for Promoting Small-Scale Renewable Energy Applications in Rural Areas of the Arab Region (REGEND)” Project, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in partnership with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), and the Arab Federation for Food Industries (AFFI), is organizing a capacity-building workshop on “Good food packaging, labeling, and marketing practices”.
 
This workshop will build the scientific and technical capacities of REGEND’s beneficiaries, on good food packaging, labeling, and manufacturing practices through a simplified scientific and distinctive approach integrating lectures, exercises, and practical training.

Provision of affordable and quality social services such as health, education and social protection is a key concern in Arab countries. Provision of these services has traditionally been considered as the domain of the State. However, this has been subject to change globally and in the Arab region.  Increased privatization efforts and technical as well as regulatory innovations have enabled non-state actors to contribute to the provision of basic social services. Some countries in the region have deliberately designed policies to allow private participation in some social sectors.