In follow-up to the resolutions of the Arab Summit and the higher Arab councils regarding the adoption of the Second Arab Decade for Literacy and Lifelong Learning, the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, in cooperation with ALECSO, convened technical meetings on February 8–9, 2026, to monitor the Decade’s implementation.
On February 8, the Technical Committee of the Second Arab Literacy Decade held its coordination meeting. Discussions focused on the outcomes of the Decade’s founding meeting and reviewed ALECSO’s reference documents, particularly the proposed implementation plan and technical matrix. The Committee also examined implementation procedures, follow-up mechanisms, and evaluation methods.
The founding meeting of the Second Arab Literacy Decade took place on February 9, 2026, with the participation of representatives from Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, Algeria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, and Kuwait, alongside civil society organizations active in literacy, adult education, and lifelong learning.
During the meeting, the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States presented the Concept Note of the Decade, outlining its reference frameworks, objectives, and strategic priorities. Civil society organizations also showcased their initiatives and projects related to literacy and lifelong learning.
As part of its technical role, ALECSO presented the proposed implementation plan and the Decade’s matrix, which detail the general objectives, implementation procedures, follow-up mechanisms, and monitoring and evaluation indicators. The aim is to ensure a coordinated, phased implementation that reflects the specific contexts of Arab countries and strengthens national capacity-building.
The meetings produced several key outcomes, including:
- Adoption of the implementation plan and matrix of the Second Arab Decade for Literacy and Lifelong Learning.
- Development of a media plan to enhance the Decade’s visibility and outreach.
- Organization of the Third Arab Forum on Adult Education and Lifelong Learning, to be held alongside an extraordinary meeting in July 2026.
- Proposal to designate a general theme for each year of the Decade, under which activities and initiatives will be implemented.
- Strengthening the role of civil society, both technically and financially, in all activities related to the Decade.
ALECSO was represented by Ms. Jalila Abidi, who conveyed greetings from H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, and Dr. Rami Iskander, Director of Education. Ms. Abidi emphasized ALECSO’s technical role in supporting the Decade’s implementation through high-quality programs, projects, and initiatives aligned with national priorities and designed to help Arab countries meet their regional and international commitments in literacy and lifelong learning.
