Digital Development
Consolidating knowledge on digital development in the Arab region
2020 – Ongoing
Background
The Arab region is affected by the digital divide, and continues to tackle the challenge of developing an inclusive information society and digital technologies to support sustainable development.
ESCWA began profiling the information society in the Arab region in 2003, following the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) that was held in two phases (Geneva, 2003; and Tunis, 2005), and which aimed to reduce the digital divide and assist developing countries in establishing information societies.
Our approach
Our partners
Member States ministries and entities participating in the initiative, League of Arab States.
Our activities
ESCWA provided national and regional analysis on progress in developing an information society in the Arab region, based on the internationally agreed WSIS action lines.
From 2003 to 2015, the information society profiling exercise was conducted on a biennial basis, resulting in a series of national and regional profiles, in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Focus areas
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
