20-05-2025
Arab Vision 2045 Project to Support and Enhance National Plans
The Arab Summit, held in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, earlier this week, adopted the 'Arab Vision 2045' document, a roadmap prepared by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the League of Arab States, under the supervision of ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
Arab Vision 2045 represents a strategic vision for the future of the Arab region, based on six pillars: security and safety, justice and fairness, innovation and creativity, prosperity and balanced development, diversity and vitality, and cultural and civilizational renewal.
Following the adoption of the vision by Arab leaders gathered in Baghdad, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, emphasized that 'Arab Vision 2045 constitutes an ambitious framework for establishing a clear, long-term development path that offers hope to the region's youth for a brighter and more stable future, and reflects a collective awareness that development is the foundation of security and stability in the Arab region.'
Regarding how to keep pace with the implementation of this strategy at the country level, especially in light of the developmental and political disparities within the region, ESCWA's Commission and information Secretary, Karim Khalil told Echorouk: 'Arab Vision 2045 does not seek to replace existing national plans, but rather aims to support and enhance them by providing a guiding regional framework that facilitates coordination between Arab countries and stimulates the exchange of expertise'.
He explained that 'the vision was formulated using a flexible methodology that considers developmental and political differences between countries, allowing each country to draw on it in line with its priorities and local realities. The document also stipulates the establishment of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms based on measurable performance indicators, developed in collaboration between governments, the League of Arab States, and ESCWA. Through joint task forces, periodic progress reviews will be conducted, and implementation will be adapted to the national context, allowing for intelligent interaction with challenges without imposing a single model on all'.
Regarding ensuring that the initiatives proposed in the document, such as the shift to AI-based education, are feasible and not merely theoretical aspirations, Karim Khalil added, 'The vision does not merely present ambitious ideas, but is based on a solid institutional foundation. A large number of the initiatives included in it have already undergone extensive discussions within specialised ministerial councils within the Joint Arab Action Framework, such as the Ministers of Communications and others, giving them political momentum and initial technical consensus. These initiatives have received their due scrutiny and review. They are not theoretical proposals, but rather a natural evolution of paths already being implemented or previously proposed.'
'In contrast, the vision also includes a set of new initiatives built on in-depth analytical studies conducted by ESCWA, think tanks, and academic partners in the region, enhancing its credibility and applicability. For example, the transition to Education 4.0 is presented as a gradual process that begins with developing digital infrastructure, updating curricula, and training personnel, rather than implementing pre-existing models that do not take into account the differences in capabilities between countries. The vision also calls for activating partnerships with the private sector and research institutions to secure the required resources and technology, within the framework of a monitoring system that ensures feasibility and adaptability,' he added.
Regarding issues of social and economic justice, such as bridging gaps between marginalised groups and ensuring inclusiveness, Karim Khalil emphasised that 'social justice is one of the six fundamental pillars of the Arab Vision 2045, and the document devotes significant space to proposing policies and initiatives aimed at bridging economic and social gaps. These policies include enhancing social protection, expanding educational and employment opportunities for marginalised groups, empowering women and youth, and achieving equitable wealth distribution. The vision emphasises the need to adopt a comprehensive development model based on equity and equal opportunity, while asserting that there can be no sustainable development without integrating all segments of society into the decision-making process and benefiting from the fruits of development.'
