Beirut, Lebanon, 7-8 October
What: The Forum on Fostering Interregional Collaboration on Sand and Dust Storms is organized by the Economic and Social Commissions for Western Asia (ESCWA) and for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in collaboration with the United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (UNSDS), and with the support of the Government of Sweden. It is implemented within the framework of activities planned by the Coalition’s Working Group on Regional Collaboration in support of the United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (2025-2034).
When: Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 October 2025, at 9 a.m. Beirut time.
Where: UN House in Beirut and online via Zoom.
Register on this link: https://indico.un.org/event/1018567/
Who: The opening session of the Forum will feature welcoming remarks by:
- Mr. Lukman Abdulraheem Al Faily, Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations and Chair of the Group of 77 and China;
- Mr. Bader Al Dafa, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Sustainability at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar;
- Mr. Tarcísio Costa, Ambassador of Brazil to Lebanon
- Ms. Anna Rosendhal, Head of the Regional Development Programme at the Embassy of Sweden in Jordan (online);
- Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, ESCAP Executive Secretary and UNSDS Co-Chair (online);
- Ms. Rola Dashti, ESCWA Executive Secretary and UNSDS Co-Chair.
Participants will include officials from ministries of environment, health, agriculture, and planning; representatives of international organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Arab region. United Nations representatives working at the national and regional levels, including members of the United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, are also participating in the Forum.
Why: The Forum aims to foster regional and interregional discussion on joint actions and cooperative responses for combating sand and dust storms, which are a growing transboundary threat to health, food security, and economies.
Media colleagues who wish to attend the Forum physically should confirm by 6 October with the ESCWA Communication Unit.
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About ESCWA
One of five United Nations regional commissions, ESCWA supports inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in Arab States, and works on enhancing regional integration.
For more information and inquiries:
- Ms. Maryam Sleiman, Public Information Assistant, +961-81-769888; [email protected]
- Ms. Rania Harb, Public Information Assistant, +961-70-008-879; email: [email protected]
