Have Arab uprisings opened space for deeper, grassroots-driven decentralization reforms in the region? What are the optimum designs, sequencing and models of decentralization for countries in political transition? While political discourse in the region uniformly emphasizes reforming State institutions, decentralization reform agendas have unfolded along contrasting trajectories across Arab transition countries.

National mechanisms for the advancement of women in Arab countries strive to mainstream a gender perspective at all levels. To achieve this, they develop plans, strategies, initiatives and plans, as well as institutional and technical capacity-building programmes. In doing so, they take into account the concerns and needs of men and women and engage them in the preparation and implementation processes, with a view to maximizing their benefit from them.

This Bulletin presents data and statistical indicators on external trade in goods for ESCWA member countries. Data are presented in time series until 2012 and were drawn primarily from national sources, as well as from secondary sources where appropriate. This publication aims to provide policymakers, analysts, researchers and other users at the national, regional and international levels with global and detailed data on intraregional and international trade of member countries.