Cairo: Nabil Fahmy, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, engaged in discussions with leaders of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy about the future of the Arab economy, focusing on the rapid transformations instigated by artificial intelligence and modern technologies. The meeting, held at the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo, addressed new challenges and opportunities arising from these developments, emphasizing growth, investment, technology production, the data economy, and human capital development.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting also explored the role of joint Arab action institutions in aiding countries to benefit from technological transformation. Initiatives and projects spearheaded by the Arab Federation for Digital Economy were discussed, highlighting the need for effective models that combine vision, policy, projects, investment, and international partnerships. The aim is to translate identified needs into practical initiatives.
Dr. Ali Mohammed Al Khouri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, detailed the Federation's journey and initiatives in digital economy, investment, food security, education, and international cooperation. He elaborated on the Arab Digital Economy Vision, supported by the UAE, and its strategic directions to build an Arab economy ready for digital transformation. The vision was adopted at the Arab Summit level.
Al Khouri further introduced the Arab Digital Economy Index, a tool developed to measure Arab countries' performance in digital economy fields, identify gaps, and guide policy and investment decisions towards impactful areas. Projects like the Arab Food Market and Mahaseel in agricultural trade, along with digital education initiatives, were also discussed.
The meeting reviewed the Madar - Arab Platform for Digital Projects, which aims to connect Arab projects with investors and global institutions, thus attracting capital and expertise. Al Khouri emphasized the importance of moving from visions to practical projects, linking the digital economy to growth and economic value creation.
Discussions also covered the expected impacts of artificial intelligence on the economy and society, stressing the importance of Arab preparedness for changes in labor markets and education. Participants highlighted the need for interoperability between Arab digital systems to enhance cross-border data exchange and economic integration.
Atef Helmy, President of the General Assembly of the Arab Federation for the Digital Economy, underscored the importance of leveraging existing expertise and partnerships to serve Arab countries' priorities. Integration among Arab institutions was deemed crucial for accelerating project implementation.
Professor Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Al-Sherbini, Secretary-General of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, stated the next phase would focus on scaling projects across the region and aligning initiatives with countries' development needs. He emphasized that the success of digital initiatives hinges on their capability to deliver measurable outcomes and foster collaboration between governments, the private sector, and international bodies.