Locations
Digital for Sustainable Development
Enabling a Digital Arab States Region to Advance SDGs Agenda
The Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) initiative, led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Arab States, aims to harness digital transformation to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Arab region. Recognizing the rapid increase in internet users—from 28.8% in 2012 to 70.3% in 2022—the initiative addresses the persistent digital divide affecting approximately 30% of the population, including women, rural inhabitants, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. D4SD fosters collaboration among governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to promote inclusive and responsible digital solutions, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital era.
In 2023, D4SD organized a regional roundtable during UNGA78, co-convened by UNDP RBAS, GSMA, IsDB, ESCWA, ITU, and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), and co-hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain. This event united CEOs, digital leaders, and high-level representatives from across the region to advance a digital ecosystem that accelerates progress towards the SDGs. Together, we are building a roadmap for digital cooperation on sustainable development and supporting national agendas by driving digital transformation for resilient societies.
What we do / Impact
The Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) initiative drives digital transformation across the Arab region by focusing on policy development, capacity building, and public-private partnerships. With internet use in the Arab States expanding from 28.8% in 2012 to 70.3% in 2022, D4SD aims to bridge the digital divide, especially for the region’s 327 million internet users. The initiative supports governments in crafting inclusive digital policies that promote access and protect user rights, while also providing training to enhance digital literacy in diverse communities. By partnering with technology companies and local organizations, D4SD expands access to digital tools and services, empowering marginalized groups to leverage technology for sustainable development. Through these combined efforts, D4SD is creating transformative impact, building resilience, and fostering sustainable growth across communities in the Arab region.
In 2023, D4SD organized a regional roundtable during UNGA78, co-convened by UNDP RBAS, GSMA, IsDB, ESCWA, ITU, and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), and co-hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain. This event united CEOs, digital leaders, and high-level representatives from across the region to advance a digital ecosystem that accelerates progress towards the SDGs. Together, we are building a roadmap for digital cooperation on sustainable development and supporting national agendas by driving digital transformation for resilient societies.
Our collective action will mobilize and empower an equitable and inclusive digital ecosystem and develop a roadmap for digital cooperation on sustainable development. We pledge our ingenuity to build a solid digital initiative encompassing different projects, and to align our programs and efforts to support the timely achievement of the SDGs and 2030 Agenda.
By joining this call of action, we affirm our commitment to cooperate on the following actions:
- Enabling national agendas through digital transformation
- Establishing an Arab States Bank of digital initiatives for the SDGs
- Developing a medium-term roadmap, prioritizing high-impact initiatives
- Enhancing digital cooperation among partners through better knowledge exchange
- Improving management and measurement of digital impact
Our Team
Dany Wazen, Digital Transformation Specialist
Paul Semaan, Digital analyst
Yasmin Hamdar, AI Analyst
Ammaar Hamadien, Digital Transformation Advisor
Tamer Abedrabbo, Digital officer
Donors & Partners
The Digital for Sustainable Development initiative collaborates with the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), and the Kingdom of Bahrain, alongside partners in the private sector technology field and community organizations, to create a comprehensive approach to digital inclusion and sustainable development.
