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ESCWA was established in 1973 and is the principal organ of the UN responsible for co-ordinating the economic and social activities of the UN system for the Western Asian region. Smallest of the regional economic commissions, ESCWA consists of 13 member states. Its mandate includes functions to promote economic and social development through regional and sub-regional co-operation and integration, whilst serving as the main forum for economic and social development within the UN system for the region.
The Commission undertakes its mandate through the following functions:

	formulating and promoting development assistance activities and projects reflecting the needs of the region;
	organising conferences and inter-governmental and expert group meetings, including sponsoring workshops and seminars;
	carrying out research and surveys within the terms of reference of the Commission; to liase, complement and co-ordinate activities with other UN agencies and inter-governmental organisations.

The Commission defined its medium term programme of action at its 19^th Session in 1997. This set out the Commissions work programme from 1998 to 2001. Issues discussed included transport, international trade, and water resources. The Commission also progressed its plans to establish its permanent headquarters in Beirut.