ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/OES/2024/1
Country: Arab region
Publication Type: Flagship publications
Cluster: Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability, Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development, Shared Economic Prosperity, Statistics, Information Society and Technology, 2030 Agenda and SDG Coordination, Governance and Conflict Prevention
Focus Area: 2030 Agenda, Climate change, Future of employment, Natural resource sustainability, Technology & innovation
Initiatives: ENACT project, Arab Digital Inclusion Platform, Improving competition and protecting consumers, Government electronic & mobile services, Arab Internet Governance Forum, Technology Centre, Digital Arabic Content, Statistics Governance , Digital Development
SDGs: Agenda 2030, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Keywords: Arab countries, Cities, Climate change, Digital technology, Cultural aspects, Cyber security, Economic aspects, Educational technology, E-government, Employment creation, Future studies, Governance, Green economy, Health care delivery, Internet, Knowledge-based economy, New technologies, Policy making, Popular participation, Recommendations, Renewable energy sources, Skills development, Small and medium enterprises, Social welfare, Technology assessment, Technological innovations, Urban planning, Water resources development
The Metaverse and the Future of the Arab Region: Public Policy Choices and Actions
August 2024
This report is an in-depth analysis of the Metaverse’s implications as a pivotal global megatrend, specifically focusing on its influence in the Arab region in the period up to 2040. It thoroughly investigates the concept of the Metaverse, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize sectors such as job creation, industrial evolution and economic growth in the Arab region. The report explains the diverse impacts that the Metaverse will have on multiple socioeconomic sectors in the Arab region. The analysis identifies various transformative pathways the Metaverse could enable in the region. These include reshaping job markets and industries through Metaverse-driven technologies, potentially creating new job categories, altering or phasing out existing jobs, shifting work into Metaverse environments, and evolving the necessary skill sets.
The report also describes the Metaverse’s capacity to bolster societal welfare in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and urban living standards. The report gives an in-depth account of the regulatory and governance frameworks essential for the Metaverse, and suggests that the Arab region is uniquely positioned to lead in establishing these frameworks, potentially becoming a major player in the global digital economy. The report culminates with 19 key findings, messages, and strategic recommendations targeting government agencies, private sector firms, civil society groups, and development leaders. These guidelines are designed to assist stakeholders in harnessing the Metaverse to achieve progress in the Arab region. It offers practical insights and policy recommendations to regional leaders to effectively navigate industry transformations and enhance societal wellbeing. The report also addresses potential challenges and opportunities, ensuring coverage of the Metaverse’s multidimensional implications for the future of the Arab region.
Related content
2030 Agenda
, Climate change
, Future of employment
, Natural resource sustainability
, Technology & innovation
,
This report is an in-depth analysis of the Metaverse’s implications as a pivotal global megatrend, specifically focusing on its influence in the Arab region in the period up to 2040. It thoroughly investigates the concept of the Metaverse, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize sectors such as job creation, industrial evolution and economic growth in the Arab region. The report explains the diverse impacts that the Metaverse will have on multiple socioeconomic sectors in the Arab region. The analysis identifies various transformative pathways the Metaverse could enable in the region. These include reshaping job markets and industries through Metaverse-driven technologies, potentially creating new job categories, altering or phasing out existing jobs, shifting work into Metaverse environments, and evolving the necessary skill sets.
The report also describes the Metaverse’s capacity to bolster societal welfare in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and urban living standards. The report gives an in-depth account of the regulatory and governance frameworks essential for the Metaverse, and suggests that the Arab region is uniquely positioned to lead in establishing these frameworks, potentially becoming a major player in the global digital economy. The report culminates with 19 key findings, messages, and strategic recommendations targeting government agencies, private sector firms, civil society groups, and development leaders. These guidelines are designed to assist stakeholders in harnessing the Metaverse to achieve progress in the Arab region. It offers practical insights and policy recommendations to regional leaders to effectively navigate industry transformations and enhance societal wellbeing. The report also addresses potential challenges and opportunities, ensuring coverage of the Metaverse’s multidimensional implications for the future of the Arab region.
