Job creation is one of the most pressing challenges facing the Arab world, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said yesterday at a meeting in Cairo between the United Nations (UN) system and the League of Arab States.
"In a region where 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30, rates of economic growth are too low to meet current labor demand," he added in the message, which was delivered by Mervat Tallawy, Executive Director of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), according to the UN News Service.
The Secretary-General called for greater regional integration, stronger multilateral partnerships and more cooperation with the UN to strengthen the Arab world's economy and improve overall job prospects. This, in turn, will "instill hope for a better future" among the region's people.
The General Cooperation Meeting between the UN System and the League of Arab States, began on Tuesday February 10, 2004 and runs until Friday February 13, 2004. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
