UN ESCWA

Artificial Intelligence Futures for the Arab Region

Arab States EgyptLebanon

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of AI as a transformative global megatrend, with a particular focus on its implications for the Arab region through to 2040. It outlines three strategic pathways through which AI could evolve in the Arab world, explores how AI could revolutionize key sectors, and highlights opportunities, risks and challenges.

Activity Type Research/Reports/Assessments

UN ESCWA

National Guide for AI Strategies in the Arab Region

Arab States DjiboutiIraqJordanLibyaMauritaniaSomaliaSyria

National strategies need to address requirements and focus on multiple pillars across sectors and disciplines, covering a wide scope from legislation to human resources. This guide is aimed to help Arab countries to develop their own national strategies based on best global and regional practices.

Activity Type Technical AssistancePolicy/Regulatory Guidance

UN ESCWA

Arab Development Portal (ADP): An AI-Enabled Data and Policy Support Platform

Arab States AlgeriaBahrainDjiboutiEgyptIraqJordanKuwaitLebanonLibyaMauritaniaMoroccoOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaSomaliaSudanSyriaTunisiaUnited Arab EmiratesYemen

The Arab Development Portal (ADP) 2.0 is an AI-enabled regional digital platform developed and managed by ESCWA, in partnership with members of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). The platform serves as a centralized hub for development data, statistics, research, and policy-support tools covering the Arab region.
ADP integrates large-scale structured and unstructured data from national statistical offices, international organizations, and alternative data sources. Advanced AI and data engineering techniques are used to automate data ingestion, enrichment, metadata generation, semantic search, and insight extraction. The platform also hosts interactive analytics, dashboards, and AI-driven policy tools that support evidence-based analysis and decision-making across key development domains, including economic growth, labor markets, social protection, financial inclusion, gender equality, climate, and the SDGs.

Activity Type AI Tools/SolutionsTrainings/WorkshopsTechnical AssistanceResearch/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceAwareness/AdvocacyInfrastructure/Systems DevelopmentNetworks/Mentorship/Exchange

UN ESCWA

Multi-Agent AI Platform for Evidence Synthesis and Policy Research

Global JordanLebanonOmanQatar

A multi-agent AI platform developed by UN ESCWA to support economic and social research, evidence synthesis, and policy analysis. The platform orchestrates specialized AI agents representing diverse policy domains and analytical perspectives to collaboratively retrieve, assess, and synthesize evidence from trusted knowledge sources. By combining structured reasoning, expert debate, and transparent evidence attribution, Polaris enables researchers and policymakers to explore complex development challenges, evaluate policy alternatives, and generate comprehensive, evidence-based insights. Designed as a trustworthy decision-support system, Polaris enhances research productivity while promoting transparency, explainability, and human oversight in policy analysis.

Activity Type AI Tools/SolutionsInfrastructure/Systems Development