Economic Commission For Western Asia [ECWA]

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Apr 4, 2022, 12:50

To improve economic quality, Economic Commission for Western Asia scheme was proposed for Western Asia in August 1973. There was a lack of economic development in the subcontinent and also a lack of communication between the neighbouring countries. This scheme was proposed for Western Asia to empower economic development. The role of this commission is to provide development through regional cooperation.

Economic Commission For Western Asia [ECWA] - Overview

Although the commission was originally named the "Economic Commission for Western Asia," it was renamed on July 26th, 1985 by the economic and social council. The names below are the 20 state members of the commission: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Economic Commission for Western Asia is funded by the United Nations. Economic Commission for Western Asia [ECWA] main budget is provided by the UN. But this is not the only source. They are paid for donations by the government, sometimes by regional funds, private foundations, and international agencies. The total budget of the commission in 2017 was around 27.4 million dollars.

Types of Economic Commission for Western Asia [ECWA] Budget

The Economic Commission for Western Asia [ECWA] has four main budgets: the regular budget, the regular program of technical cooperation (RPTC), and the extra-budgetary project account. Let's dig deeper to learn more.

  • The regular budget provides the commission with the resources it needs to carry out its mandate as outlined in the strategic framework. In 2019, the regular budget was around 19.9 million dollars.
  • The regular program of technical cooperation (RPTC) contributes to the improvement and sustainability of socio-economic development policies. It strengthens the sub-regional interaction by sharing knowledge and experience between the countries. The budget for the regular program of technical cooperation was 2.3 million dollars in 2017.
  • E-budgeting initiatives function by supporting economic and social development under the seven sub-programs of the commission: Economic Development and Integration, Gender and Women's Issues, Governance and Conflict Issues, Natural Resources, Social Development, Statistics, and Technology for Development. In 2017, the budget of the extra-budgetary project was $3.2 million.
  • Accountability for Development contributes to the creation of capacity funds at the national, sub-regional, regional, and interregional levels. In 2017, the development account budget was 1.9 million.
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Economic Commission for Western Asia [ECWA] Headquarters

Initially, the commission's headquarters were moved from one place to another until they got settled in the central district of Beirut, Lebanon in 1997. This is their current location. Their first headquarters, the commission, was located in Beirut from 1974 to 1982. They then moved to Baghdad, Iraq, from 1982 to 1991. Then they were located in Amman, Jordan before moving back to Beirut.

Objectives of Economic Commission for Western Asia [ECWA]

The commission was formed to aid in the economic and social development of neighbouring countries.

  1. To promote interaction and cooperation among neighbouring countries, and to raise global awareness of member countries' needs.
  2. The main focus is on developing regional and sub-regional integration and ensuring interaction between western Asia and other regions.
  3. These things also help in developing a mutual learning experience between the member countries, which allows the growth of sustainable relationships and learning processes between them.

Therefore, such commissions have a major role in economic development by socially integrating the neighbouring countries.

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FAQs on Economic Commission for Western Asia [ECWA]

Q.1. When was the scheme ‘Economic Commission for Western Asia' proposed?

The Economic Commission for Western Asia was proposed in 1973 that this scheme was proposed to improve the economic quality of western Asia.

Q.2. when was the Economic Commission for Western Asia renamed?

The Economic Commission for Western Asia was renamed on July 26th, 1985 by the economic and social council.

Q.3. How many budgets are there in the Economic Commission for Western Asia?

There are a total of four budgets in the Economic Commission for Western Asia, these are the regular budget, the regular program, accountability for development, and E-budgeting initiatives.

Q.4. Where is the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Western Asia?

The headquarters of the economic commission for West Asia is in the central district of Beirut, Lebanon.