United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

PROGRAMMES

Sustainable Development and Productivity

Social Development

Economic Development and Globalization

Information and Communication Technology

Emerging and Conflict Related Issues

Statistics

ESCWA Centre for Women

Programme Planning and Technical Cooperation

ESCWA MEMBERS


ESCWA is made up of 14 member countries
	Advisory Bodies & Focal Points
	Governing Body
	Regional Coordination Mechanism

UN-ESCWA At a Glance

Stability and prosperity are the watchwords of the United Nations Charter. They are prerequisites for sound and cordial relations between nations, based on respect for the principle of equal rights that ensures self-determination and provides equality of opportunity to pursue a higher standard of living and employment for all through consistent economic growth and social development.

The five regional commissions were created by the United Nations in order to fulfil the economic and social goals set out in the United Nations Charter by promoting cooperation and integration between the countries in each region of the world. Those commissions are: the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE, established in 1947); the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP, 1947); the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC, 1948); the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA, 1958); and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA, 1973).

HISTORY AND HEADQUARTERS

9 August 1973: The Commission was established on 9 August 1973 as the Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA), pursuant to United Nations Economic and Social Council resolution 1818 (LV), and was the successor to the United Nations Economic and Social Office in Beirut (UNESOB).
26 July 1985: In recognition of the social component of its work, the Commission was redesignated the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
1982-1991: ESCWA moved from Beirut to Baghdad after the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and remained in the Iraqi capital until 1991.
1991-1997: ESCWA moved from Baghdad to Amman following the Gulf War in 1991 and remained in the Jordanian capital until 1997.
October 1997: The Commission returned to Beirut, its permanent headquarters. The frequent moves of the Commission were due to conditions in the region.

MEMBERSHIP

ESCWA comprises 13 Arab countries in Western Asia: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

ESCWA IN THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM

ESCWA forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of ESCWA are:

To support economic and social development in the countries of the region;
To promote cooperation between the countries of the region;
To encourage interaction between member countries and promote the exchange of experience, best practice and lessons learnt;
To achieve regional integration between member countries;
To ensure interaction between Western Asia and other regions of the world, familiarizing the outside world with the circumstances and needs of the countries in the region.

MISSION

ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

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