Kuwait, February 20, 2025 – The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to upgrade the Arab Development Portal, a key online platform providing reliable data for Arab nations. The collaboration aims to accelerate regional progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing access to credible development indicators.
The revamped portal will integrate artificial intelligence tools, user-friendly dashboards, and predictive analytics, offering policymakers and researchers deeper insights into economic trends, global benchmarks, and SDG progress.
“This partnership marks a pivotal step in strengthening data-driven decision-making across the Arab region. Enhancing data accessibility empowers leaders to tackle pressing challenges in economic development, public health, unemployment, and climate resilience,” said Rola Dashti, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of UN-ESCWA.
Established by the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) , an alliance of 10 Arab development institutions, including the Arab Fund, the portal serves as a vital knowledge hub for policymakers.
“Partnership is central to our strategy for maximizing impact on social and economic development. Through this collaboration with UN-ESCWA, we aim to create a data-driven approach that equips decision-makers with the necessary insights,” said Bader Alsaad, Director General and Chairman of the Board of the Arab Fund.
Over the next three years, the initiative will include hands-on workshops, knowledge-sharing resources, and specialized AI training to enhance data management and analysis. The project will also strengthen the portal’s data sources and develop innovative strategies to improve regional development indicators.
