The objective of the ensuing RFC is to provide technical specifications for the use of Arabic in Internet domain names addressing Arabic-specific linguistic issues. It was first submitted as an Internet Draft to the IETF in February of 2008. Since then, it underwent a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation, revision, and editing process to be converted into an RFC of the informational category. The final version was submitted one year later in February of 2009 and was adopted by the IETF as RFC number 5564.

This document is a report that focuses mainly on the performance of ESCWA member countries in terms of attracting foreign direct investment. It reviews the latest developments in the institutional framework governing the activities of foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises and aims to provide an overview of the latest large-scale FDI activities in ESCWA member countries.

This issue of The Demographic Profile of the Arab Countries examines the trends in population size, growth and distribution in the 22 countries of the Arab region, highlights the course of fertility and mortality transitions, and discusses the implications of fertility transition on the population age structure during the period 1980-2050. It also studies the levels and trends in international migration during the period 1990-2010 with particular reference to labor migration.