The ESCWA region is facing critical natural resource problems. Climate change, population growth, food insecurity, water scarcity, extreme weather events and regional tensions over shared water resources are challenges that make effective management of natural resources to promote sustainable development imperative. Member countries have shown a growing interest in assessing the impact of climate change, including extreme weather events, and socioeconomic vulnerability.

Public social expenditure is indispensable, and its right mix as social investments and social protection measures would improve growth and human development toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This study was carried out at the request of ESCWA member countries through the Committee on Transport of the Commission. It reviews the ways in which the region is responding to the liberalization and commercialization of air transport and makes a number of recommendations to regional Governments regarding regional cooperation, the establishment of a fair and open air transport market, the coordination of air traffic control, the use of information and communications technology, environmental protection and the removal of procedural barriers to trade and transport.

Beirut, 9 July (Communication and Information Unit)--The Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Mr. Mohamed Ali Alhakim, today represented the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres, in Ankara, Turkey, during the inauguration ceremony of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Palace.
 
The Turkish presidential election recently took place on 24 June as part of the 2018 general election, alongside parliamentary elections on the same day.