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Activities by UN ESCWA
Policies for inclusive and digitalized power grids in countries with special needs in the ECE, ESCAP, and ESCWA regions
Global BelarusGeorgiaIraqJordanMongoliaTajikistanIn many countries with special needs, the need for more resilient and sustainable energy systems has intensified in the recent years against the backdrop of aging energy infrastructure and growing energy demand. In this context, integration of new renewables-based decentralized energy resources into legacy systems poses a significant challenge. At the same time, many countries with special needs are under increasing pressure to drive efficiency and innovation within the energy sector. Without strategic governance frameworks that embrace digital technologies and support their concerted integration, while addressing the risks such as cybersecurity vulnerabilities and data privacy, most initiatives and efforts to modernize energy systems might turn out to be fragmented and short-lived. Moreover, gender and socio-economic disparities can impede the inclusivity of these transitions, thus potentially leaving certain populations out of the planning and decision-making processes. This project will respond to these critical needs by equipping target countries with harmonized policy approaches and providing targeted capacity-building, with a focus on responsible and inclusive digital transformation in the energy sector. The project will focus on developing a digital governance policy framework that will enable target countries to modernize and better manage their power grids through embracing the twin transition approach. By promoting integration of decentralized energy resources, the project will offer pathways to enhance energy access and grid reliability and resilience. This will be accomplished through capacity-building for policymakers, regulators and utilities, and facilitating regional cooperation to develop harmonized approaches for governance policies for digital transformation of the power sector while ensuring interoperability with legacy systems. Key policy interventions would focus on support of research and development, technological and market innovation, cross-industry collaboration, data protection and ensuring cyber resilience to digital vulnerabilities, behavioural change, and responsible use of digital technologies to avoid rebound effects. The planned policy framework will provide standardized approaches for the integration of digital tools into grid infrastructure.
Activity Type Technical AssistanceResearch/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceArab 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.
Artificial Intelligence Futures for the Arab Region
Arab States EgyptLebanonThis 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/AssessmentsNational Guide for AI Strategies in the Arab Region
Arab States DjiboutiIraqJordanLibyaMauritaniaSomaliaSyriaNational 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