A group of students of different majors from the American University of Science and Technology (AUST) visited ESCWA on 19 May 2012, where they learned about the Commission’s objectives and programmes. Chief of ESCWA Social Participatory Development Section (SPDS) Maha Yahya briefed them on the role of ESCWA as one of the United Nations Regional Commissions and the opportunities and challenges facing the region. She focused on regional priority agenda items and the Commission’s work with civil society organizations.

Mr. Marwan Kheireddine, Lebanese Minister of State, Dr. Rima Khalaf, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCWA, Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the Delegation of the European Union, and Mr. Rida Saidi, Tunisia’s Minister of Economy, will open the First ESCWA Arab Economics Forum at 10:00 am on Friday 23 November 2012 at the ESCWA headquarters, Riad Solh Square, Beirut. The Forum will conclude on 24 November 2012.

ESCWA Director of Information and Communication Technology Division Haidar Fraihat will hold a press conference at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 28 November 2012 to launch the Information Economy Report 2012 entitled: “The Software Industry and Developing Countries” at ESCWA Headquarters, Riad Solh, Beirut.

First Information Technology Officer at ESCWA Rami Zaatari will highlight the main findings of this year’s report with a focus on the Arab region.

Renowned Lebanese singer Majida El-Roumy will pay a visit to ESCWA Headquarters, Riad el Solh Square, on Thursday 6 December 2012. Roumi begins her visit at 11:00 AM with an audience with UN Under-Secretary-General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Rima Khalaf. A tour of the Commission’s premises follows, with a stop in the library, where Ms. El-Roumy will be briefed on work mechanisms and subjects of interest. The tour wraps up with a detailed presentation on ESCWA’s work and programs, with special emphasis on the Commission’s role in youth poverty alleviation in Lebanon and the region.