The ESCWA Annual Report reviews the activities of the Commission in 2006, which were severely affected by the devastating war of aggression that was unleashed against Lebanon in that year. Despite the disruption caused by the war and its aftermath, the Commission has continued to efficiently deliver its services to member countries and was able to implement its work programme, realizing various achievements that have contributed to development efforts in the region and, in particular, reconstruction efforts in Lebanon.

This policy brief discusses selected dimensions of inequality among Arab youth and highlights the gaps and challenges that affect youth policy development and implementation.

While some analysts consider environmental standards as a valuable mechanism for improving production efficiency, others argue that compliance with those standards is an additional and costly burden that affects competitiveness. This study examines the relationship between the two factors by assessing the scope of the impact of environmental standards on competitiveness, and provides examples from both sides of the debate.