In the contemporary digital economy, affordable and efficient access for all to information and modern services is fundamental. No single entity has control over information or the means of its distribution. Security concerns must be balanced by openness and freedom of choice

In September 1995, the United Nations organized the Fourth World Conference on Women. The conference, held in Beijing between September 4 and 11, has been hailed as the most significant one to date in the struggle for gender equality. It unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action.

The mandate of the Committee on Financing for Development in the States Members of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia includes (a) discussing priorities under the programme of work and midterm action plans of the Commission in the field of financing for development; (b) following up on progress in financing for development policies in member States and making recommendations in that regard; (c) monitoring developments in regional and international forums, conferences and processes with regard to financing for development, and coordinating regional efforts towards the implementation of related resolutions and recommendations emanating from such platforms; and (d) supporting cooperation between the secretariat of the Commission and specialized ministerial councils of the League of Arab States, and organizations and unions formed under its umbrella, and with other specialized regional organizations, to build capacity and harmonize policies and strategies aimed at leveraging funds to finance development; and supporting communication efforts, partnerships and the harmonization of positions in the international arena.

The Arab region hosts one of the largest and fastest-growing migrant populations in the world. In 2013, the region hosted 30.3 million international migrants (8.24 per cent of the total population).