Iran war cost Arab economies $150 billion in first month, UN official says The war involving Iran cost Arab economies about $150 billion in its first month, equivalent to 4% of regional GDP, according to an estimate cited Thursday by the head of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. “According to ESCWA

As the war in Gaza approaches its seventh month, the poverty rate in the State of Palestine continues to escalate, reaching 58.4 percent, thrusting nearly 1.74 million additional people into poverty, as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) sustains a staggering plunge by 26.9 percent—a loss of US$7.1 billion from a 2023 no-war baseline—according to new estimates by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

As the war in Gaza approaches its seventh month, the poverty rate in the State of Palestine continues to escalate, reaching 58.4 percent, thrusting nearly 1.74 million additional people into poverty, as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) sustains a staggering plunge by 26.9 percent—a loss of US$7.1 billion from a 2023 no-war baseline—according to new estimates by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

Doha, Qatar: The United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), HE Dr. Rania Al Mashat, underscored the State of Qatar's role in advancing sustainable development and multilateral cooperation, while stressing the importance of expanding cooperation between ESCWA and Qatar in areas including social protection, digital transformation, innovation, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Al Mashat said her visit to Doha reflects the strong and longstanding partnership between ESCWA and the State of Qatar, which she described as a key partner in advancing sustainable development across the Arab region. She said she had met with a number of Qatari officials to discuss support for the sustainable development agenda at both the regional and international levels, as well as ways to strengthen the exchange of expertise and technical knowledge to advance development initiatives across the Arab region. Highlighting Qatar's role in promoting multilateral cooperation, Dr. Al Mashat commended the country's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and its efforts to promote peace in the region, stressing the importance of sustaining initiatives aimed at enhancing regional stability and addressing common...

The recent conflict has displaced around 20% of the Lebanese population, including an estimated 140,000 older persons, many of whom are living in dire conditions. This is revealed in a new policy…

The Arab region is facing a set of challenges that are both urgent and deeply interconnected: worsening food insecurity, severe water deficits, heavy reliance on fossil fuels, rapid and often unplanned urbanization and ongoing conflicts that have weakened the institutions and infrastructure needed to respond. At the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD) 2026, held online from 12 to 21 May and organized by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) highlighted how agrifood systems transformation can help address these overlapping crises through integrated solutions. This year, the Forum reviewed five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). FAO made substantial technical contributions to the background notes for these regional reviews (SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 11) and co-organized two special sessions that offered practical perspectives on the way forward. The Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems Nexus in practice The following theme came into sharp focus in FAO’s contributions to the Forum’s special sessions: Food insecurity, water scarcity, fossil fuel dependence, rapid...

Co-organized by UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCWA), UN-Habitat, and other partners, the discussion brought together government representatives, development partners, housing organizations and water and sanitation actors to explore how sanitation, water, drainage and other basic services underpin liveable homes, particularly in low-income and informal urban communities. Speakers emphasized sanitation as a core urban system that protects health, dignity and the environment. Discussions also highlighted the importance of stronger institutions, improved regulation, climate-resilient planning and partnerships that help service providers reach underserved communities. Watch the session here...

Artificial intelligence (AI) could dramatically reshape economies and labour markets across the Arab region over the coming decade, generating major productivity gains and new employment opportunities in some future scenarios, while deepening inequality and displacing millions of workers in others, according to a new report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ESCWA-ILO report ''Artificial Intelligence and Employment Futures for the Arab Region'' was launched at a special session held in preparation for ESCWA's Arab Forum for Sustainable Development (AFSD), with opening remarks from ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat. The report highlights that AI is already transforming job structures, skills demand and sectoral dynamics across the Arab region, with impacts expected to deepen significantly by 2035. While automation is likely to reduce employment in clerical and routine jobs, new opportunities are expected to emerge in sectors such as education, health and technology-intensive activities. The report outlines three possible scenarios for AI adoption by 2035, showing how different levels of policy preparedness, workforce transition and investment in skills could determine whether AI becomes a driver of inclusive growth or a source of greater labour market disruption...

شفقنا- کمیسیون اقتصادی و اجتماعی سازمان ملل برای غرب آسیا (ESCWA) روز پنج‌شنبه هشدار داد که پیامدهای جنگ آمریکا و اسرائیل علیه ایران و افزایش قیمت‌های جهانی مواد غذایی ممکن است حدود ۵ میلیون نفر دیگر را در کشورهای عربی با درآمد متوسط و پایین وارد چرخه ناامنی غذایی کند. به گزارش شفقنا؛ وبگاه شبکه […] نوشته اسکوا: جنگ، ۵ میلیون نفر را در کشورهای عربی به فقر غذایی سوق می‌دهد اولین بار در خبرگزاری بین‌المللی شفقنا | خبرگزاری شیعیان، فتاوای آیت‌الله سیستانی و مرجعیت، آخرین اخبار ایران و جهان. پدیدار شد.

ESCWA Fellowship Programme 2026 in Lebanon offers a fully funded opportunity for young Arab professionals. Apply by 30 April 2026 for hands-on policy experience.