During a press briefing to highlight the main findings of the “Survey of Economic and Social Development in the ESCWA Region 2011-2012,” held this morning at the U.N. House in Beirut, Mr. Abdullah Al-Dardari, Director of Economic Development and Globalization Division (EDGD) said that all-time high oil revenue amidst the Arab Spring resulted in growth polarization between major oil exporters and the rest of the ESCWA region.

Development is a human right that everyone should benefit from, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in the Arab region. This includes people living under occupation and conflict, refugees, internally displaced people, and residents of rural and poor areas. Such were the recommendations of the “Preparatory Meeting for the 3rd Arab Forum on Sustainable Development (AFSD-3) and the 2nd United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2),” hosted by the United Nations House in Beirut on 14 April 2016.

The International Year of Forests, 2011 Celebrating Forests for People Forests are essential renewable resources that are important for the survival and wellbeing of people around the World. They provide shelter, food and medicine to people and are a major habitat for biodiversity. They provide clean water and play a vital role in maintaining a stable climate and preserving the environment, to name a few. In order to highlight the important role of forests, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests.

Beirut, 11 January 2019 (Communication and Information Unit)--A score of recommendations was reached today as the Civil Society (CS) wrapped up its two-day forum at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) headquarters in Beirut.