In collaboration between the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States (Social Affairs Sector – Department of Education, Scientific Research and Research) and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (Department of Education – Institute of Arab Research and Studies in Cairo), the Third Arab Forum on Adult Education and Lifelong Learning was held on September 8–9, 2026, followed by the Second Meeting of the Higher Coordination Committee for the Second Arab Decade for Literacy and Lifelong Learning, on September 10, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt.
Delegations from Jordan, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, and Lebanon participated in the Forum and the Meeting, alongside representatives of regional organizations, civil society institutions, and Arab universities. Participants also included experts, researchers, and practitioners in the fields of adult education and lifelong learning.
In his remarks at the opening session, Dr. Rami Iskander, Director of ALECSO’s Department of Education, conveyed the greetings of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, along with his wishes for a successful and fruitful meeting.
For his part, Dr. Mohamed Mostafa Kamal, Director of the Institute of Arab Research and Studies, emphasized the need to devote greater attention to literacy and adult education and to step up efforts to combat illiteracy and reduce its negative impacts on society.
ALECSO’s statement stressed that the Forum offers a specialized Arab platform for exchanging expertise and best practices in adult education and lifelong learning, discussing contemporary issues and trends, strengthening the capacities of national leaders, and enriching specialized research prepared by the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and ALECSO in cooperation with prominent Arab experts and academics.
The statement underscored the importance of strengthening national efforts to formulate lifelong learning policies, expanding the participation of the private sector and civil society organizations, showcasing pioneering initiatives and projects, and exploring prospects for cooperation and strategic partnerships in ways that contribute to unifying efforts and maximizing the impact of programs targeting beneficiaries.
The third edition of the Forum focused on the theme of “Transformations in Lifelong Learning: From Responding to Challenges to Anticipating the Future.” Six specialized research papers were presented by Arab experts, addressing topics such as anticipating policies and future skills for the Second Arab Decade for Literacy and Adult Education; digital transformation and artificial intelligence in lifelong learning; the transition from literacy to empowerment through learning; building lifelong learning pathways in the Arab world; and the role of AI applications in enhancing technological literacy among university students in the digital age.
The Forum and the Meeting also featured presentations by the participating Arab countries, highlighting their national strategies and key initiatives and projects implemented in the fields of adult education and lifelong learning. Participating civil society institutions likewise presented their experiences and initiatives at both national and regional levels, thereby contributing to the sharing of expertise and the development of mechanisms for joint Arab cooperation.
On the occasion of International Literacy Day, observed annually on September 8, participants adopted the joint Statement issued by the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization, together with their strategic civil society partners. The Statement reaffirmed that joint Arab efforts will be pursued to implement the objectives of the Second Arab Decade for Literacy and Lifelong Learning, as well as the Strategic Plan for the Development of Education in the Arab World, adopted by the specialized councils within the framework of joint Arab action.
