New York

The Arab Federation for Digital Economy participated in a series of high-level discussions organized by the United Nations Development Program, coinciding with the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The meetings brought together leaders from international organizations, a number of Arab ministers, and senior global leaders in digital transformation, to promote sustainable development in the Arab region.

His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, highlighted the Federation’s commitment to its authentic role in supporting the transition towards Arab digital economy mechanisms, in addition to focusing on education, entrepreneurship and economic integration.

During his speech, Dr. Al Khouri stressed the pivotal and pioneering role played by the United Arab Emirates and its leadership, under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” in supporting efforts to develop a comprehensive vision for the Arab digital economy.

He explained that the Arab vision for the digital economy, which was officially adopted at the Arab Leaders Summit for the year (2022) in Algeria, constitutes the cornerstone for driving the wheel of sustainable development in the region, through the digitization of various vital sectors.

He said that the UAE has been a long-time leader, proving that digital transformation can drive economic growth, enhance regional cooperation, and pave the way for sustainable development, and that the UAE is a strong model for other Arab countries on how to employ technology to accelerate development.

In his interventions during the dialogue sessions, Dr. Al Khouri addressed some strategic expectations for the future of the Arab digital economy, noting that there are two main scenarios for the growth of the Arab economy until 2030. The first scenario depends on Arab countries continuing their current growth approach, which could lead to the digital economy contributing about 7% of the region’s GDP, which is a 50% increase over the current situation, which is estimated at about 4% as an average for the Arab region.

He explained that the second scenario calls for adopting a bold and coordinated plan for digital transformation, which may contribute to exceeding the contribution of the digital economy to 20% by 2030, so that this scenario includes intensive investments in modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and the fifth generation (5G), in addition to efforts to enhance digital skills, and build a regulatory environment that encourages entrepreneurship.

Dr. Al-Khouri cited the experiences of countries such as the Republic of Korea and Singapore, which have witnessed an unprecedented digital boom, thanks to their bold investments in infrastructure and government policies.

The meetings witnessed an agreement to sign a memorandum of cooperation between the Arab Federation for Digital Economy and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP); with the aim of cooperating in developing digital infrastructure, building capacities and developing digital policies.

Dr. Al-Khouri stressed that this partnership enhances the capabilities of Arab countries in the fields of digital transformation, stressing the importance of benefiting from international expertise to ensure the successful implementation of the updated vision.

One of the notable outcomes of the meetings was the formation of an international committee and an advisory council headed by Dr. Abdullah Al-Dardari, Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States, affiliated with the United Nations Development Program, tasked with updating and launching the Arab Vision for the Digital Economy for the period (2026-2030).

The committee includes participation from prestigious international organizations, such as the World Bank, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, as well as other regional and global partners.

The committee aims to ensure that the updated vision is consistent with the latest technological trends, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and environmentally friendly development projects, to support economic growth and enhance sustainability across the Arab region.

Dr. Al-Khouri reviewed a group of pilot projects, led by the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, that form part of the vision’s programs and objectives.

Among these projects are the Arab platform for education and training (Edu4Arab.org), which aims to provide 200,000 university students and entrepreneurs with entrepreneurial leadership skills, and the platform (ArabFoodHub.com), which works to enhance food security in the region.

Dr. Al-Khouri explained that the Federation continues its efforts to stimulate and maximize the return on innovation, by supporting digital projects that benefit from artificial intelligence, blockchain, and NFT technologies, and that the Federation views these advanced technologies as practical tools to address sustainability challenges and drive economic growth.

Dr. Al-Khouri also announced plans to establish a regional center for scientific research, to facilitate cooperation in the field of digital transformation throughout the Arab region, in cooperation with Arab and Islamic countries and other scientific organizations.

He called on international organizations to join the initiative to update the Arab Vision for the Digital Economy (2026-2030), stressing the importance of strategic partnerships and global cooperation in achieving digital transformation in the region.

He stressed that the Union seeks to build sustainable cooperative relations with international entities to ensure the successful implementation of this ambitious vision.

Dr. Al-Khouri said: “Our vision for the Arab digital economy is based on cooperation and partnership, through joint work with organizations such as the United Nations Development Program, the World Bank, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, to build a future in which digital transformation drives economic growth, enhances entrepreneurship, and achieves sustainability for future generations.”

The meetings concluded with a renewal of the joint commitment to advancing digital transformation in the Arab region, and an emphasis on the pivotal role of updating the Arab Vision for the Digital Economy for the period (2026-2030) in addressing economic challenges and enhancing the competitiveness of the Arab world in the global digital economy.

Dr. Al-Khouri said: “The Union continues to work with its international partners to ensure that the updated vision reflects the latest developments in digital technologies and is a catalyst for sustainable development across the region. We look forward to continuing this fruitful cooperation to build a brighter and more sustainable future for the Arab world.”

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