United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia |
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|---|---|
 Map showing United Nations Economic Commission for Western Asia members |
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| Org type | Primary Organ - Regional Branch |
| Acronyms | ESCWA |
| Head |
Executive Secretary of ESCWA
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| Status | Active |
| Established | August 9, 1973 |
| Headquarters | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Website | ESCWA Website |
| Parent org | ECOSOC |
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA), headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, is one of the five regional commissions under the administrative direction of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. UN-ESCWA promotes economic and social development of Western Asia through regional and subregional cooperation and integration. It devises, promotes, and executes development assistance activities and projects in tune with the needs and priorities of the region of Western Asia. UN-ESCWA coordinates its activities with those of the major departments/offices of the United Nations at Headquarters and of specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations, such as the League of Arab States, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, with a view to avoid duplication and ensure complementarity, synergy and exchange of information. ESCWA has 17 member states (the latest countries to join were Libya, Morocco and Tunisia in 2012), and reports to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
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History [edit]
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA or ESCWA) was first established in 1973 as the UN Economic Commission for Western Asia (UN-ECWA). It was established by Economic and Social Council resolution 1818 (LV) and was the successor to United Nations Economic and Social Office in Beirut (UNESOB). The organization's name was changed from Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA) to Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in 1985.
Member states [edit]
Bahrain
Egypt
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya (2012)
Morocco (2012)
Oman
Palestine
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Sudan (2008)
Syria
Tunisia (2012)
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
Locations [edit]
UN-ESCWA headquarters is located in Downtown Beirut, Lebanon, near the Grand-Serail - the headquarter of Lebanese Prime Minister - and the Parliament.
Funding [edit]
The administrative budget of UN-ESCWA is funded from the financial resources of the United Nations, the major portion of which comes from the contributions of member States. Detailed expenditures are allocated to various sections for pre-determined purposes.
Furthermore, UN-ESCWA receives additional financial resources from outside the regular budget, which are used to implement specific projects in accordance with agreements reached with governmental and non-governmental donors. The amount of these resources varies from one period of time to another, depending on numerous considerations and circumstances.
See also [edit]
- United Nations System
- United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (overlaping membership)
References [edit]
Bibliography [edit]
- Paul Berthoud, A Professional Life Narrative, 2008, worked with UNESOB and offers testimony from the inside of the early years of the organization.
