Cultural change, regional vision are future for Arab world: Zu'bi

The one-day programme comprised of Arab Ministers, high-level government officials and business leaders from the IT industry addressing issues of economic and social advancement through the adoption of ICT.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Fawaz H. Zu'bi, leading the Jordanian delegation and speaking on Developing Human Capital said, "The Arab World needs to focus on five main skill areas to thrive in the global knowledge economy: life-long learning; analytical-thinking; languages; mathematics and science knowledge and change management. It is predicted that by 2010, professional skills will need to be relearned every five years, so continual learning is a reality the Arab World needs to address to become a prominent ICT player."

Participants discussed challenges and ways to promote inter-governmental cooperation to boost ICT growth in the Arab world through coordination of growth strategies of Arab countries. The agenda also explored common challenges facing the ICT industry in the region and how best to solve them using a unified regional approach.

"Jordan's e-Government initiative is working to bring technology closer to the citizens, thus empowering the ICT industry and transforming the way government works," said Mahmoud Khasawneh, chief information officer and director of e-Government at MoICT. "Jordan's e-Government programme is introducing a completely new way of governing, redefining the delivery of government services and increasing access to knowledge and information. All of this is in line with what is being done at this Forum, as ultimately it will result in social advancement and greater demand for ICT products and services throughout the Arab world."

Earlier this month, Jordan held its second ICT Forum, under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II to review Jordan's development in the ICT sector. Addressing the 1000 international and local participants, His Majesty called for an Arab platform in ICT, emphasizing that the isolated technological achievements of each country will serve little if the region does not progress as a whole.

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