Committee on Social Development, 8th session

The aim of the current session is to provide an official forum for discussion of proposals and recommendations related to the formulation of the ESCWA programme of work in the field of social development and the ways to improve the activities included in that programme.  The session also aims at reviewing and discussing the action taken by ESCWA Social Development Division (SDD) and its reports on the priority issues in the field of social development.  The information contained in the documents and reports, presented to the Committee on Social Development at its eighth session, represents the basis for discussion, experience sharing and submission of proposals, noting that ESCWA always seeks to obtain information on major developments, statistical data, action and measures taken by member counties, in order to provide quality services, including facilitating negotiations and the adoption of regional common positions, strategies, programmes and action plans on the various social issues discussed at the international forums. Therefore, the current session constitutes a platform for dialogue where member countries could share experiences and present proposals on all areas of social development.  The secretariat hopes that this session will lead to concrete approaches and proposals on maximizing the benefit derived from the activities and services included in ESCWA programme of work for the biennium 2012-2013 in the field of social development and implemented by SDD.