In 2018, ESCWA formulated a comprehensive conceptual framework for digital development that takes into account the strong linkages between the SDGs and the WSIS Action Lines, and underpins national digital development reviews, the Arab Digital Development Report and the Arab Digital Agenda.
The pillars of the Arab Digital Agenda were selected according to the ESCWA conceptual framework for digital development, which reveals the state of digital development and cooperation in Arab countries and is used to prepare national digital development plans. The framework defines a research methodology that is based on:
- Collecting as much relevant data as possible on the status of Arab countries with respect to each pillar.
- Conducting an analytical study to identify gaps at the national and regional levels.
- Selecting and studying top priority issues.
The Agenda’s planning dimension includes:
- Developing a plan for each selected issue with a strategic goal to work towards.
- Describing the goals as measurable targets for monitoring and tracking purposes.
- Identifying a number of indicators associated with the targets, describing the baseline value and target value over a specific time period within the term of the Agenda.
The Agenda’s implementation dimension includes:
- Developing a framework for each goal with proposed actions to meet the targets and achieve the goal.
- Making proposals for actions at national and regional levels, consistent with the results of the gap analysis.
ESCWA Digital Development Framework