In light of the crisis in Syria, and as part of its mandate to promote democracy and development in the region, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) has initiated a program named The National Agenda for the Future of Syria (NAFS).

Arab integration offers a real opportunity for critical political, economic, social, and cultural developments, but significant challenges stand in the way of comprehensive integration.

Calls for dignity, freedom, and social justice in the Arab world have triggered fundamental questions about state–citizen relations and have dramatically transformed the landscape of civic activism.

The Arab Spring is creating a power shift in the Middle East and North Africa, leading to a change in the relationship between key social, economic, and political stakeholders.