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Focal point:
- Jahda Abdu Kahlil (jahdaak [at] yahoo.com)
The Economic Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) was established on 9 August 1973 pursuant to Economic and Social Council’s resolution 1818 (LV). Its purpose was to stimulate economic activity in member countries, strengthen cooperation between them promote development.
In recognition of the social component of its work, the Commission was renamed the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) under Economic and Social Council resolution 69/1985 of July 1985. 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.
The Arab Regional Forum for Sustainable Development is brought together Arab governments and sustainable development stakeholders to discuss progress and to share their experiences in the implementation of the SDGs in the Arab region. The membership to the Forum stems from the Doha Declaration on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Representatives from the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities attended the Forum, and addressed Member States emphasizing that for persons with disabilities accessibility and discrimination are the two main obstacles to full participation in society and further appealed to the Arab States to consider these issues when drafting their national implementation plans of the SDGs.