Abu Dhabi recently hosted a regional workshop focused on sustainable investment in digital transformation in the Arab region. The event was organized by the Department of Sustainable Development and International Cooperation at the League of Arab States, in collaboration with the Arab Federation for Digital Economy.
The workshop, attended by representatives from Arab countries and officials from ministries of sustainable development, took place over two days. The first session covered topics such as government digital transformation initiatives, strategic infrastructure investments, global digital trends, and the role of digital transformation in achieving sustainable development in the Arab region.
The second session focused on opportunities for supporting private investment and fostering foreign partnerships in digital projects.
In addition, the 16th meeting of the Arab Committee for Sustainable Development was held on the sidelines of the workshop, both in person and via video conference. Chaired by the UAE, the meeting aligns with the country’s presidency of the Economic and Social Council for this session.
Representatives from fourteen Arab countries, as well as various specialized Arab organizations, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), UNESCO, the Islamic Development Bank, and civil society organizations focused on sustainability and media, attended the meeting. The agenda included 14 key topics, such as eliminating hunger in the Arab region, the Arab Digital Platform for Sustainable Development, sustainable financing, and Arab Vision 2045.
The workshop was opened by Nada Al-Ajizi, Director of the Sustainable Development and International Cooperation Department, who emphasized the importance of digital technology and sustainable investment in achieving comprehensive and sustainable development. She also highlighted the Arab vision for a digital economy, adopted by Arab leaders at the 2022 Algiers Summit, as a critical step toward building integrated, sustainable digital economies in the region.
Dr. Abdullah Al Darmaki, Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, delivered the keynote address, stressing that sustainable investment in digital transformation is essential for achieving broad-based and sustainable development in the region.
During the meeting, Dr. Ayman Mokhtar Ghoneim, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, introduced the Arab Food Market Initiative, which aims to create a virtual market through collaboration between government agencies, the public and private sectors, and the technology sector.
