The Internet penetration rate in the Arab region registered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.9 per cent during the period 2005-2012 which is higher than the world average of 12.4 per cent. The forte of ICT infrastructure in the region are dynamic mobile service markets which saw a notable penetration rate CAGR of 21.4 per cent between 2005 and 2012, higher than the global rate at 15.2 per cent. Additionally, as of mid 2013, all Arab countries except three had deployed 3G services.

Efforts of ESCWA and the League of Arab States (LAS) resulted last week in a consensus to establish the Arab Internet Governance Forum (IGF), with the collaboration of multi-stakeholders in IGF process and the Internet Governance activities for the region. The consensus of the Arab IGF was the outcome of the "Conference and Public Consultations to Establish the Arab Internet Governance Forum (IGF)" which was held from 31 January to 1 February 2012, in Beirut at the Habtoor Grand Hotel.

At the 30^th Ministerial Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) held from 25 to 28 June, member States of the Arab region welcomed the establishment of an Arab Centre for Climate Change Policies.

Beirut, 11 November 2010 (UN Information Service) — Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Deputy Secretary-general of the United Nations Asha-Rose Migiro and ESCWA Executive Secretary Rima Khalaf today opened at the UN House in Beirut the 14th Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) meeting for UN agencies operating in Arab countries.