Amman, April 29 (Petra) – The regional forum "Accessible Arab Region 2025: ICT for ALL" launched on Tuesday in Amman, bringing together regional and international stakeholders to advance digital inclusion across the Arab world.

The two-day forum is organized by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The event features wide participation from Arab and international organizations, alongside local institutions and specialized agencies.

Vice Chairman of the TRC, Nael Adwan, highlighted the importance of the forum, particularly as Amman has been named the "Arab Digital Capital" for 2025. He stressed that improving digital accessibility is essential to fostering inclusive societies, where all individuals regardless of socioeconomic status can fully engage in the digital environment.

Khalil Abdallat, Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Prime Ministry, underscored that ensuring access to technology for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other marginalized groups is both a moral and national responsibility. He added that digital accessibility is now a core human right, integral to equal participation in education, employment, and public life, and key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the ITU, emphasized the forum’s role in helping decision-makers understand the importance of designing inclusive technologies that meet the needs of excluded communities, including people with disabilities, refugees, and older adults.

Tarik Alami, Director of the Governance and Conflict Prevention Cluster and Officer-in-Charge of the Statistics, Information Society and Technology Cluster at ESCWA, noted that hosting this event for the fourth time in the Arab region reflects growing recognition of digital access and inclusion as foundational to equitable participation in the digital age.

The forum aims to explore avenues for cooperation, promote innovation, and exchange expertise to foster a just and inclusive digital society. Sessions focus on the role of ICT in bridging the digital divide, improving access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and employment, and supporting human rights in the digital era.

Participants are also examining strategies and policies to promote digital accessibility in the telecommunications sector, while addressing how emerging technologies especially AI can be leveraged to eliminate barriers faced by marginalized and disadvantaged communities.

//Petra// AO

29/04/2025 14:21:25