The Statistical Committee was established under ESCWA resolution 179 (XVI), of 2 September 1992, which was adopted by the Economic and Social Council resolution 1993/2 of February 2, 1993. It will hold its 12th session in Beirut on 4 and 5 April 2017.

Most ESCWA member countries have ratified international environmental agreements and have committed themselves to enhancing relevant governance structures, developing action plans and submitting reports on the state of the environment. The resulting sectoral approaches and fragmented policies have failed to define or address adequately the challenges that are specifically transboundary in nature. This study attempts to identify and tackle the major transboundary environmental threats in the ESCWA region.

The Online Workshop on E-Government: Policies and Strategies, which was held from 15 January to 12 March 2007, constitutes an activity under the Development Account project, entitled “Capacitybuilding for ICT policymaking”, which is being implemented by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in collaboration with the regional commissions of the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The accelerating development in knowledge during the past few decades has modified the principles of economic growth with the move towards knowledge-based economy affecting all sectors of the economy. This report aims to depict the status of information societies in the ESCWA region, measure the progress made in building these societies and evaluate the current status of member countries. With those objectives, the report provides comprehensive analysis and essential information on the situation of the ESCWA region in comparison with the rest of the world.