ESCWA Reaffirms Regional Connectivity's Key Role at UNGA 81

ESCWA used its participation in the UN General Assembly in New York, from Sept. 21 to 25, to argue that regional connectivity is central to resilience amid overlapping shocks. ESCWA Executive Secretary Rania Al-Mashat said crises across the Arab region do not hit countries equally—nine of 22 are in crisis, conflict, or emerging conflict—and that responses often move too slowly. She framed connectivity as a resilience decision rather than an infrastructure-only choice, pointing to needs in peace, energy and water security, economic stability, gender equality and human dignity. Across energy and water-focused forums, she stressed closing access and finance gaps and turning assets into functioning regional systems for shared prosperity, investment and climate resilience.