Dr. Rania Al-Mashat officially assumed her duties as United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCWA Executive Secretary, beginning her tenure at the Commission's headquarters in Beirut with a series of meetings with senior Lebanese officials, United Nations leaders, and ESCWA staff.
Al-Mashat paid a courtesy visit to President of the Lebanese Republic Joseph Aoun, during which she underscored Lebanon's particular place within the United Nations System and the history of ESCWA, noting that the Commission's presence in Beirut reflected the depth of this longstanding partnership. She also met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raji to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation and supporting Lebanon's development and recovery efforts.
The ES reaffirmed the commitment of ESCWA to supporting Lebanon in line with national priorities. She also held consultations with her teams to review current and future priorities, with discussions focusing on evidence-based policymaking, regional integration, and partnerships that advance sustainable development across the Arab region.
