On Wednesday, 30 September 2026, the Union of Arab Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions, chaired by Algeria through the National Economic, Social and Environmental Council (NESEC), held a high-level conference-debate at the El Aurassi Hotel in Algiers on the theme “Digitalisation as a Tool for the Integration and Complementarity of Member Arab States with the Global Economy”. The event brought together high-level Arab and African delegations, experts, representatives of national bodies and a number of economic and social operators.
The conference proceedings provided a forum for dialogue and the exchange of views and expertise on the challenges and opportunities that digitalisation presents for Arab economies, particularly in developing value chains, strengthening productive capacity, expanding access to markets and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups. Together, these efforts can help strengthen the integration of Arab economies into the global economy.
In his opening remarks, Professor Mohamed Boukhari, President of the National Economic, Social and Environmental Council and the current President of the UAESCSI, said that digital transformation adds a new dimension to the process of Arab economic integration by strengthening the interconnection of economies, infrastructure and digital systems. He explained that artificial intelligence, data, e-commerce and financial technology have become key drivers of productivity gains, the emergence of new economic activities and jobs and the integration of economies into global value chains.
The President of the National Economic, Social and Environmental Council stressed that Arab economic integration should not be confined to increasing the volume of trade. It should also involve removing barriers to digital flows, facilitating the movement of goods and services, linking payment systems, improving the interoperability of platforms and ensuring that data are exchanged securely, reliably and in a well-governed manner. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of translating digital connectivity between Arab countries into shared economic value and making digital transformation a driver of deeper Arab integration, stronger competitiveness and greater integration into the global economy, while also helping to reinforce the Arab countries’ technological sovereignty.
For his part, Mr Fayez Ali Al-Mutairi, Director General of the Arab Labour Organization (ALO), highlighted the importance of social dialogue in addressing major economic and technological changes and striking a balance between development needs and the transformations taking place in labour markets. He also stressed the need to anticipate the effects that digital transformation may have on employment, skills and social protection, and to ensure that different groups can benefit from the opportunities offered by the digital economy, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
The conference also featured an address delivered via videoconference by the President of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (UAESCSI), who is also President of the Council of the Hellenic Republic (Greece). He underlined the need to strengthen coordination at the international and regional levels and to work towards promoting progress and development for peoples around the world.
The conference-debate also included a series of presentations examining various aspects of digitalisation and digital transformation and their relationship to Arab economic integration. Mr Majed Atta Diab Al-Hilu, Vice-President of the Palestinian Economic, Social and Environmental Council, presented “The Reality of Digitalisation and Digital Transformation in Palestine”. Mr Nadhir Mohamed Abderrahmane Al-Awamleh, Secretary-General of the Economic and Social Council of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, delivered a presentation entitled “Digitalisation as a Tool for the Integration and Complementarity of Member Arab States with the Global Economy”. Mr Mohamed Amine Cherar, an expert with the Economic, Social and Environmental Council of the Kingdom of Morocco, spoke on “From National Digital Transformation to Arab Digital Integration”. Representing Algeria, Mr Younes Kerrar, an expert and member of the NESEC, presented “Artificial Intelligence and the Repositioning of Arab Economies in Global Value Chains”. Mr Mohamed Salhi, an expert and member of the NESEC, addressed “Interoperability as the New Infrastructure for Arab Economic Integration”. Finally, Mr Madjid Massoudane, an expert, presented “Digital Inclusion as a Driver of Expanding the Productive Base and Integrating Arab Economies into the Global Economy”. These presentations examined the different dimensions of digitalisation and digital transformation and their relationship to Arab economic integration.
The presentations were followed by substantive discussions and exchanges that highlighted several key dimensions of digital transformation, particularly the development of digital infrastructure and services, artificial intelligence, systems interoperability, digital inclusion and the reduction of digital divides. The discussions also considered the conditions required to make digitalisation a genuine driver of economic integration, stronger competitiveness and value creation, within a managed and inclusive digital transition founded on cooperation, innovation and the development of national and regional capacities.
In this regard, participants stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between Arab states and their economic and social institutions on the basis of sharing knowledge, exchanging good practices and establishing common frameworks to improve connectivity between economies and markets. Digitalisation thus stands out as a cross-cutting driver of development policies, stronger productive capacity and the integration of Arab economies into global value chains.
The conference-debate attracted broad participation from Arab delegations and representatives of institutions, economic, social and environmental councils and similar bodies. This participation reflected the importance attached to the chosen theme and its relevance to the shared challenges facing Arab and African economies amid accelerating digital change.
On the African side, delegations attended from the Republic of Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic and the Republic of South Africa, represented by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC).
The presence of these delegations provided the conference-debate a significance extending beyond digital transformation itself. It created a space for dialogue between Arab and African institutions for economic and social consultation, enabling them to exchange experiences, identify areas of convergence and consider new cooperation mechanisms in response to ongoing economic, technological and social changes.
In this context, participants called for greater harmonisation of legislation relating to e-commerce, artificial intelligence, data governance and cybersecurity, as well as measures to reduce the digital divide and technological dependence. The idea of establishing a common Arab digital platform was also raised as a means of facilitating exchanges, bringing ecosystems closer together and strengthening cooperation among Arab countries.
Particular emphasis was also placed on the role of economic and social councils and similar institutions. Through their consultation, analysis and recommendation-formulation functions, these institutions are expected to help societies navigate different transformations, bring the perspectives of economic and social operators closer together, and contribute to the development of public policies suited to the realities of digital transformation.
Through this conference-debate, the NESEC, under Algeria’s presidency of the Union of Arab Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions, helped place digital transformation at the centre of discussions about the future of Arab economic integration, with an emphasis on cooperation, innovation, technological sovereignty and the creation of shared value.