To commemorate the contribution of the foremost Palestinian development economist, the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) is inaugurating the Yusif A. Sayigh Development Lecture series.

To mark 25 years of its programme of assistance to the Palestinian people, UNCTAD is associated in organising this inaugural event with MAS and Bir Zeit University.

This lecture is the first of its kind in the occupied Palestinian territory, and is meant to serve as an educational programme and a platform for debating the development prospects of the Palestinian economy.

The lecture will be delivered by Mr. Jomo Kwame Sundaram, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, and will be broadcast live through the UNCTAD webcast system, from 8:00-10:00 hrs. (GMT) on 10 November 2009