It is an honour for me to represent the League of Arab States at this esteemed scientific forum, the second of its kind hosted by your university. I extend sincere gratitude for your gracious invitation and for selecting a topic of great significance, one that pertains to our collective future.
Indeed, the Arab region faces formidable developmental challenges amidst complex and fragile conditions. In this digital age, characterised by remarkable advancements in communication technology, there exists an urgent imperative to harness the opportunities presented by these transformative innovations. It is paramount that we leverage technological developments to realise the objectives outlined in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions, as delineated in the ambitious 2030 international agenda.
From this vantage point, the League of Arab States, operating as a regional entity under the auspices of the United Nations, has undertaken concerted efforts to implement strategies and initiatives aimed at coordinating and monitoring the endeavours of member states. These efforts are focused on eradicating poverty and marginalisation, while ensuring the provision of essential services such as healthcare, education, and housing to foster decent living standards. Additionally, there is a concerted effort to integrate a gender perspective and foster a culture of innovation.
On the media front, the Council of Arab Information Ministers, in its recent session in Rabat, took proactive measures to underscore the linkage between sustainable development and digital media. This was identified as a key priority for collective action, with a focus on collaborative projects proposed in partnership with professional media organisations and unions. These efforts align with the objectives outlined in the Arab Strategy for Media Development in the realm of development, which was endorsed during the Dhahran Summit in 2017.
I firmly believe that forums of such calibre serve as invaluable platforms for expediting the trajectory of digital transformation, which has become an imperative for our nations aspiring to forge a cohesive Arab community. This community, founded upon principles of unity, seeks to address the root causes of disintegration and conflict, paving the way for a responsive Arab entity that meets present needs without compromising the aspirations of future generations. This embodies the essence of sustainable development.
In line with this vision, we emphasise the importance of enhancing the focus on development media within the training curricula of faculties and specialised institutes. Such an approach is essential for adequately equipping media professionals with the requisite knowledge and skills in sustainable development issues. This necessitates overcoming structural constraints, including the adoption of digital tools across various productive sectors, fostering reliance on the green economy, and fostering innovative production methods. Additionally, concerted efforts are needed to ensure food sovereignty and effectively address challenges such as climate change, encroaching desertification, water scarcity, and the demographic dilemma, with a projected population increase to approximately 686 million people in the Arab world by the year 2050, as estimated by the United Nations.
Therefore, the League of Arab States, under the esteemed leadership of His Excellency the Secretary-General, has embraced the forward-looking vision 2045 outlined by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) on the occasion of commemorating its centenary. This visionary initiative, coined "Restore Hope," aims to instill elements of sustainability within our Arab region. It endeavors to promote principles of governance, justice, security, and cultural and civilisational diversity through collaborative partnerships with the private sector, civil society, universities, and scientific research centers. This cooperative framework, underpinned by a creative pact, is designed to enhance the value of human capital and bolster collective capabilities, ultimately leading to sustainable development and the enhancement of living standards for our people.
