Analysis of the causes and consequences of uneven progress towards the MDGs in the Arab region, which calls for the adoption gender-responsive and rights-based national development policies.

The increasing trend towards regional and international globalization is presenting the ESCWA region with several monetary and fiscal challenges. Given the low level of economic integration within the ESCWA region, this study examines the case for increased policy coordination and, ultimately, the adoption of a common single currency. To achieve this objective, this report assesses the relationship between trade intensity, economic structure and the degree of business cycle synchronization in the ESCWA region.

Improving the life of slum-dwellers is one of the major challenges facing Arab Governments and all parties concerned. Despite the presence of national development plans and strategies, property and housing policies, and laws and regulations aimed at achieving decentralization and improving the livelihood of slums, the gap between policies and reality is still wide. This study presents an overview of the status of slums in the Arab cities. It highlights the policies and practice aimed at achieving the goal of "Cities without Slums" set forth by the United Nations in 1990.

Measuring the multifaceted information society is a very complex task. In the past, measurement approaches were confined to simply aggregating a variety of data on selected information and communications technology (ICT) indicators, adjusting the weight of some factors, and applying statistical tools. Those approaches, however, lacked theory and validation. While measuring the ever-changing ICT landscape might seem to be enough, this study emphasizes that societies are not exclusively driven by technology.