Amman – Jordan

Under the slogan “Our Vision, Our World, Our Future”, the activities of the second edition of the Digital Cooperation and Development Forum were launched, with a high-level presence including ministers and decision-makers from the Arab region. The forum is organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the League of Arab States and other organizations, in cooperation with the Jordanian government represented by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, to emphasize the importance of digital transformation as a fundamental pillar for the future of sustainable development in the region.

The forum was opened by His Excellency Sami Smeirat, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship in Jordan, His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Her Excellency Rola Dashti, Executive Secretary of ESCWA, and His Excellency Amandeep Singh Gill, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Digital and Emerging Technologies.

His Excellency Sami Smeirat pointed out that the forum reflects the ambitious vision adopted by ESCWA and the League of Arab States to raise the level of digital cooperation and enable societies to make the most of technology and innovation to achieve sustainable economic and social development. He explained that Jordan is working closely with ESCWA to develop the innovation environment, develop digital policies, and build national capacities that enable individuals and companies to benefit from the digital revolution.

His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit also called on Arab governments to work on preparing the infrastructure and legislative environment to ensure data protection and to adopt policies that support investment and entrepreneurs, considering that pumping more money into developing technological spending would enhance attracting domestic and foreign investments in the Arab region and raise the region’s capacity from being a consumer of these technologies to a producer and developer, and that it would also help bridge the digital divide.

Her Excellency Rola Dashti stressed that the Arab Digital Agenda provides an organized roadmap to make technology a path to economic resilience and social progress, but the lesson will be in translating policies into tangible achievements, in achieving sustainable benefits from investments, and in not neglecting any part of society on the path of digital transformation. She considered that merging the World Summit on the Information Society and the Arab Internet Governance Forum reinforces an important principle, which is the need for digital transformation governance to be inclusive and transparent.

His Excellency Amandeep Singh said that the AI ​​generation will transform our economies, and every country should benefit from it. He pointed out the importance of holding a comprehensive dialogue on AI governance. He added that there is a lot of untapped potential in the Arab region in terms of digital technology, calling for the establishment of a common digital market, working closely between the private and public sectors, and bringing together talent.

Digital Transformation to Enhance Development and Regional Cooperation in the Arab World

In his speech at the forum, Dr. Abdullah Al Darmaki, Deputy Secretary General of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, stressed that digital transformation is a strategic necessity to achieve sustainable development and enhance the competitiveness of Arab countries in the global economy. He explained that digital technology is not just a technical tool, but a fundamental driver for creating new economic opportunities and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.

Al Darmaki added: “The digital economy is no longer just a separate sector, but rather an integrated pillar that extends to all sectors, from education and health to trade and industry, and that investing in digital infrastructure and developing digital skills has become imperative to ensure the ability of Arab countries to keep pace with rapid developments and achieve comprehensive development.”

Al Darmaki also pointed out that artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and blockchain technologies represent unprecedented opportunities to enhance efficiency, but they require a supportive legislative and regulatory environment that balances innovation and data protection.

He stressed the importance of building effective partnerships between the public and private sectors and academic institutions to accelerate digital transformation, stressing the need to invest in human capabilities to ensure leadership in the digital economy. He added that digital transformation contributes to achieving financial inclusion and enhancing economic growth, especially in areas that suffer from limited access to traditional services.

At the end of his speech, he called for enhancing regional cooperation between Arab countries to exchange expertise and develop unified policies that contribute to building a strong and interconnected digital economy capable of competing globally.

The Arab Federation for Digital Economy presents a comprehensive vision for governance and management of artificial intelligence risks according to international standards

As a member of the Arab Artificial Intelligence Team, the Arab Federation for Digital Economy presented a specialized paper on governance and risk management in artificial intelligence systems according to international standards, as part of its efforts to promote the responsible and safe use of these advanced technologies.

The paper, presented by Dr. Ayman Ghoneim, Assistant Secretary-General of the Union, addressed the most prominent challenges facing artificial intelligence, especially with regard to potential errors and who bears responsibility for them, in addition to discussing the benefits and risks of generative intelligence, and ways to achieve a balance between technological development and ethical considerations.

The paper also reviewed the role of decision-makers and legislators in regulating artificial intelligence, by adopting international standards such as *ISO/IEC 42001* for artificial intelligence management systems and *ISO/IEC 23894* for managing its risks, in addition to reviewing the *framework for developing intelligent systems using machine learning* according to the *ISO/IEC 23053* standard.

At the end of the presentation, the Arab Federation for Digital Economy recommended establishing an “Arab Center for Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Artificial Intelligence Systems,” which would include a technical committee to formulate technical requirements, a governance committee to ensure integrity and quality, and an executive general secretariat to grant certificates of conformity.

This initiative reflects the Union’s commitment to supporting digital transformation in the Arab world and enhancing the region’s position in the field of artificial intelligence technologies in accordance with international best practices.

Participants at the forum stressed the need to strengthen legislative and operational frameworks that support digital transformation, noting that providing a transparent and secure regulatory environment is a key factor in attracting foreign investment and stimulating innovation. They explained that developing laws that protect data and user rights contributes to building investor confidence and creating a favorable climate for successful digital experiences.

The experts also noted the vital role of the academic sector and scientific research centers in qualifying human cadres, considering that integrating digital training programs into educational curricula is a strategic step to ensure the sustainability of technological progress. They called for establishing partnerships between universities and the private sector to exchange expertise and enhance work skills in digital fields.

Participants noted that joint cooperation between the public and private sectors is the main driver for accelerating digital transformation, through which advanced digital infrastructure projects can be launched and e-government services developed. They stressed that such partnerships will improve the level of services provided to citizens and enhance financial inclusion in the Arab world.

The forum brings together a group of experts and digital professionals from across the Arab region and beyond, as well as government officials, policy makers, parliamentarians, technical experts, academics, civil society and private sector representatives, in addition to international bodies concerned with enhancing digital cooperation and supporting sustainable development in the region.

Forum Activities

The forum will span four days and include a variety of pivotal events. On the first day, the first high-level partners’ conference on the Arab Digital Agenda 2023-2033 will be held, which aims to identify the digital priorities of Arab countries over the next decade. The forum will also witness the convening of the fourth high-level Arab Forum on the World Summit on the Information Society and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in addition to the seventh conference of the Arab Internet Governance Forum.

The forum includes specialized sessions, high-level dialogues, interactive tracks, and side events, aiming to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors, academia, the technical community, civil society, youth, and global institutions.

The forum represents a turning point in enhancing digital cooperation within and outside the Arab region, as it is in line with the Global Digital Compact and the decisions of the Council of Arab Ministers of Communications and Information. It also constitutes a vital platform to advance the discussion on digital development priorities, set standards for the digital future over the next decade, and build regional consensus on digital issues in accordance with global and regional frameworks.