Basic design features
The scope of the Agenda covers all ICT areas. A comprehensive approach was adopted for the Agenda, in line with most regional strategies and with cumulative experiences in the Arab region. This approach was used by more than half of Arab countries in their digital development reviewing efforts.
In view of the wide disparity between Arab countries in the level of ICT development, especially in terms of infrastructure, the quantitative targets for many goals have been formulated in two forms: either by advancing the status quo of each country, or in the form of a unified goal where possible so as to raise the level of the Arab region as a whole. A limited number of targets have been left without target values, yet with associated indicator values to be measured for tracking and evaluation purposes. Specific values can be set in subsequent versions of the Agenda.
The Agenda is built on the key role of the Arab Telecommunications and Information Council of Ministers in terms of decision-making to define the Agenda’s features, goals and targets, and the mechanisms for its implementation. Several management and sustainability mechanisms have been established as part of the Agenda, including the Collaboration and Partnership Framework involving relevant stakeholders, the measurement model to allow for the achievement of periodic review targets and other auxiliary mechanisms.
Although actors in the Arab region usually belong to the government sector, key roles that can be played across the private sector and other sectors (such as civil society and academia) are noted in the Agenda. These partnerships contribute to overcoming many of the challenges associated with activating and implementing the Agenda, especially in terms of securing funding and managing projects.
The term of the Agenda is divided into three parts: the short term (2023–2026), the medium term (2027–2030), and the long term (2031–2033).
The adopted approach takes into consideration the following three levels:
- Level one: Identification of goals and targets.
- Level two: Identification of measures and actions to be taken to achieve the targets.
- Level three: Definition of accompanying programmes, initiatives and projects to allow for the implementation of the measures and actions specified in level two.