Economic convergence in the Arab region: Where do we stand and how do we further it?

e in Arab countries in regard to several economic dimensions. Overall there is little evidence of convergence in income per capita for the entire Arab region, although this result is not robust to different timeframes. The existence of natural resources by itself does not explain convergence, as resource-poor countries are not converging among themselves.

Every year, the partners of ESCWA from governmental and non-governmental organizations, media, educational and scientific foundations await the launch of the “Survey of Economic and Social Developments in the Arab Region”. It is a report intended to assess the Arab economies in the global context of economic events that took place recently and also to address pressing policy agenda in the region by a theme-based in-depth research.

Beirut, 30 June 2010 (UN Information Service)-- The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is launching as of 1 July three electronic fora, as part of the portal called “Towards an inclusive Participatory Development in the ESCWA region”, to achieve social integration and promote the participation of civil society and media in social development.