Agriculture research is a core pillar in sustainable and resilient agriculture development at national and regional levels. It facilitates the transfer of techniques, practices, technology, and knowledge through demonstration and analyses aiming to improve production and productivity, protect and increase the efficiency of natural resources, and ultimately improve the livelihoods of producers.

On 22 and 23 October 2014 ESCWA Centre for Women (ECW) organized an expert group meeting, to review the progress realized on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 20 years after its adoption in the Arab region. ECW Director Samira Atallah chaired the meeting, alongside Head of the Arab League's Department for Women, Family and Childhood Inas Mekawy and UN Women Deputy Regional Director for Arab States Mohammad Naciri. Attendees were representatives of public administrations and national women machineries in Arab countries, together with regional experts.

As an increasing number of countries, including many developed countries, are struggling to cope with the outbreak of COVID-19, emerging economies and developing countries are facing an unprecedented threat to their development achievements, human life, social cohesion and have been facing socio-economic hardships due to fragile health care systems and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The current COVID-19 pandemic calls for unprecedented efforts and coordinated action. It requires more than ever strengthening public institutions, implementing innovative measures and a collaborative spirit by all countries and the global community to contain the spread of the pandemic and mitigate its far-reaching socio-economic, and even political repercussions.
Focused on the needs and responses from the Arab region, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (UN ESCWA) and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) -Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG)- are jointly organizing a Webinar Series specifically dedicated to the Arab region on “Leveraging Public Governance & Exploring Innovative Solutions to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic.