This report provides a brief general description of ESCWA Statistical Information System ( ESIS), including technical detail of the structure, principal features and utilization modalities, in addition to technical material aimed at facilitating effective use of this System. Within that context, ESIS was developed essentially for use both within ESCWA and by institutions and individuals concerned with economic and social development in the ESCWA region. It is for this latter purpose that a version of ESIS will be posted on the Web.

The overall purpose of this paper is to contribute to achieving the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) goal to “foster comprehensive, equitable, integrated and sustainable development”1 in a gender-sensitive manner. Its specific objective is to guide all staff at the professional and general service levels, who are involved in conducting research, on how to ensure that a gender perspective is reflected from conceptualization of research to its final stage.

This glossary of common terminology used in shared water resources was prepared in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) in Hanover, Germany through a joint project with the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

The purpose of the manual is to provide a starting point for those in government bodies responsible for planning surveys; create a common understanding of terms and concepts; establish a common framework for reviewing and evaluating final energy consumption surveys; and summarize regional experiences. It serves as a reference on methodologies for data collection regarding energy use by the transport sector, as well as providing models for estimation (supply and use) and case studies from Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia and Canada.