The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) took part in the second edition of the Digital Cooperation and Development Forum (DCDF2025), held in Amman, Jordan, on February 23-26, 2025. ALECSO was represented (remotely) by Dr. Mohamed Jemni, Director of ICT.
The Forum was organized in partnership between ESCWA and the Arab League, in cooperation with the Jordanian Government, represented by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, with the participation of several UN and regional organizations.
The Forum, held under the theme of “Our Vision, Our World, Our Future”, served as a platform for discussing key issues related to digital cooperation and development.
Dr. Jemni participated as a keynote speaker in the session titled “Trust: Data Privacy and Data Governance” which addressed key issues related to balancing the use of digital data and the protection of individual privacy.
Dr. Jemni highlighted the role of inter-governmental organizations, particularly ALECSO, in building regional capacities in data governance, and the challenges facing the Arab world in implementing legislative and regulatory frameworks related to data protection. He stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation in developing effective data governance policies that respect the cultural and social peculiarities of the region. Additionally, he made comparisons with global experiences, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and Estonia's pioneering experience in digital government. Dr. Jemni also underlined the need to enhance digital culture in Arab societies, and support initiatives in scientific research and innovation in fields related to data protection and cyber-security.
The Forum discussed a range of key topics related to digital development, including digital transformation in the Arab region, internet governance, the future of artificial intelligence, cyber-security, national digital sovereignty, as well as internet fragmentation and its impact on digital economy.
The Forum was attended by a large number of decision-makers, technology experts, academics, and civil society representatives from around the world. It provided a unique opportunity for sharing experiences and showcasing the latest developments in digital cooperation.
The Forum came out with a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening inter-Arab cooperation in digital transformation, developing legislative policies that ensure the safe and equitable utilization of data, fostering investment in the ICT sector, and launching joint digital initiatives that contribute to achieving sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda.
Dr. Jemni’s participation in the Forum reflected ALECSO’s pivotal role in leading regional efforts to develop an integrated and sustainable digital environment and support digital cooperation and development in the Arab world.
