Statement by Mohamed Ali Alhakim, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia 
 
ESCWA is mourning the loss of Kofi Annan, an exceptional man whose contribution to the United Nations and to peace building all over the world will always be remembered. We are forever grateful for his dedication and send our deepest condolences to his family during this heartbreaking time. 
 

E-commerce, one of the main pillars of the digital economy, was the focus of a recent conference in Salalah, Oman, where the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) presented its work on economic dimensions of e-consumer data in e-commerce, including crucial issues the Arab region needs to consider as it grows its digital tools.  

The Digital Arabic Content Industry (DAC) is significantly contributing to the development of a comprehensive information society for all, helping to improve the knowledge-based economy and creating new jobs in different vital areas as well as preserving identity, language, cultural and civilizational heritage in this digital age.

Beirut, 24 September 2018 (Communication and Information Unit)—On 1 October, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) will be marking International Translation Day with dozens of translation and language professionals as well as students from Lebanon, in a bid to pay tribute to those who “make it possible for different cultures to talk to one another, who have enabled us to understand that we all, from every part of the world, liv