Promoting Inclusive Climate and Digital Transitions in the Arab Region: A Just Transitions Agenda

The Arab region stands at a pivotal moment as it navigates two transformative transitions – the shift to a low-carbon green economy in response to climate change, and the rapid digital transformation reshaping industries and societies. These twin transitions carry enormous promise for sustainable development, but also profound challenges for labor markets, social justice, and economic inclusion. Recognizing the stakes, the Arab Trade Union Confederation (ATUC) established the Arab Center for Just Transition as a dedicated initiative to champion a rights-based, inclusive approach to these transitions. Modeled in spirit after global efforts by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Center’s mission is to ensure that climate and digital transformations across Arab economies unfold in a manner that “secures the future and livelihoods of workers and their communities” through social dialogue and fairness

 This UN-style report provides an analytical overview of the Center’s approach and the broader context, aimed at an international organization and trade union audience. Shortly into the 2020s, it became clear that “just transition is not a slogan – it’s a framework of rights and responsibilities”, as trade unions globally have asserted. In the Arab region, the concept of a just transition has gained urgency amid surging climate impacts and a post-pandemic digital acceleration. The Arab Center for Just Transition operates as a regional hub, under ATUC’s umbrella, to integrate labor’s voice in climate and digital policies. It supports member unions in understanding and influencing transition strategies, fosters social dialogue among stakeholders, documents best practices, and represents Arab workers in global forums. Crucially, the Center advocates that both the climate and digital transitions must be guided by social justice principles – meaning they should be inclusive, participatory, and anchored in the protection of workers’ rights. The following sections analyze the convergence of these transitions in Arab economies, their impacts on labor markets, and key policy areas for ensuring no one is left behind.

Twin Transitions in the Arab Region: Climate and Digital Convergence

Climate Transition: Arab states are increasingly grappling with the need to transition toward sustainable, low-carbon economies. This imperative is partly driven by stark climate realities – the region is among the most vulnerable to climate change, facing extreme heat, droughts, and resource stress – and partly by economic necessity as the world shifts away from fossil fuels. Many Arab economies (especially Gulf Cooperation Council states) remain heavily reliant on oil and gas revenues, which underscores the urgency of economic diversification and green investment

Encouragingly, new research by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and partners indicates that if robust climate and industrial policies are pursued, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region could create up to 10 million new jobs by 2050 while boosting GDP by 7.2%. This optimistic scenario – unveiled at COP28 in 2023 – hinges on aggressive development of renewable energy (such as solar and wind), green industries (like hydrogen fuel), and climate-resilient infrastructure. For example, investments in sectors like green hydrogen production, sustainable water desalination, reforestation, and waste management are highlighted as pathways that “leave no one behind” if combined with strong social policies.

 However, the climate transition also carries disruption. Workers in carbon-intensive industries (oil, gas, petrochemicals) and climate-exposed sectors (agriculture, fishing) face uncertainty. The Arab Center for Just Transition emphasizes that strategies for decarbonization must come with plans for alternative employment, retraining, and social protection for affected workers. Notably, the ILO urges that green policies be paired with measures to assist “all impacted individuals and not leave anyone behind”, cautioning that a just transition is essential for stability.

 In oil-producing countries, this means engaging both national and migrant workers in dialogues about the future of work as economies diversify. In non-oil economies, it means seizing opportunities in renewables and energy efficiency to drive new job creation. Several Arab countries – such as Morocco, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates – have begun investing in large renewable energy projects and net-zero strategies, signaling political will to align climate goals with economic development. The convergence of these efforts underlines the need for labor unions to be at the table to ensure climate action also yields decent work and social justice. Digital Transition: Parallel to the climate challenge, Arab economies are experiencing a digital revolution that is transforming commerce, communication, and workplaces. Over the past decade, internet connectivity in the region has skyrocketed from 28.8% of the population in 2012 to over 70% in 2022, bringing the online population to roughly 327 million people

Governments accelerated digital initiatives particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, modernizing e-government services and encouraging online business models. Yet despite this rapid growth, a significant digital divide persists. About 30% of the Arab population remains offline – an estimated 142 million people unconnected as of 2021 – with access gaps especially pronounced between higher-income and lower-income countries, urban and rural areas, and between social groups. For instance, only 56% of women in the Arab region use the Internet compared to 68% of men, reflecting a substantial gender digital divide.

Such inequities in digital infrastructure and skills mean that large segments of society risk being left behind in the digital transition. The digital economy’s expansion brings both opportunities and challenges for Arab labor markets. On one hand, technology and connectivity have enabled new forms of employment, including the rise of online freelancing and gig work platforms that many young people are tapping into. Digital entrepreneurship is growing, and there is strong demand for ICT skills. On the other hand, the region has yet to see digitalization translate into broad-based job growth. Analysts note that “digital development has failed to have the transformative impact… in many Arab countries”, partly due to limited local digital industries and a lack of supportive policies.  Where digital jobs are created (for example, ride-sharing drivers, delivery services, or online gig tasks), they often fall in the informal or semi-formal realm without adequate labor protections

Indeed, the ILO’s 2024 outlook highlights that while platform work is spreading in Arab States, these workers “typically do not enjoy conventional job security, benefits or legal safeguards” of formal employment. Furthermore, a mismatch between the skills employers need and those workers can offer – especially in digital and high-tech fields – is a persistent problem. Educational curricula and training programs have not kept pace with technological change, leaving many graduates without job-relevant digital skills. If unaddressed, the digital transition could exacerbate inequality, as those with connectivity and advanced skills reap the benefits while others are excluded.

 This is why the Arab Center for Just Transition frames digital inclusion as a core justice issue: ensuring affordable internet access, digital literacy, and worker protections in the tech-driven economy are all part of a just transition agenda. Convergence of Transitions: The climate and digital transitions are often discussed separately, but in practice they are deeply intertwined in their economic and social effects. Both transitions promise modernization and new industries – from solar farms to smart cities – and both rely on an empowered workforce. Digital technologies can accelerate climate solutions (such as smart grids, remote sensing for agriculture, or efficient public transport systems), while the shift to a green economy will itself generate demand for tech-savvy labor (e.g. engineers for renewable energy, data analysts for energy efficiency). Moreover, both transitions are unfolding simultaneously, meaning Arab countries face compound pressures to adapt. For example, an oil refinery worker might be impacted by decarbonization policies and also by automation in manufacturing processes. A young graduate might need both green skills and digital skills to thrive in emerging job markets. The convergence of these trends makes it imperative to develop comprehensive strategies that address climate and digital change together, rather than in silos. This is exactly the space the Arab Center for Just Transition seeks to occupy: connecting the dots between environmental sustainability and technological innovation, under the banner of sustainable, decent work. By promoting holistic policies (for instance, advocating that national climate plans incorporate digital upskilling programs, or that digital economy strategies include green job initiatives), the Center and its partners underscore that the future of Arab economies must be both green and fair, tech-driven and inclusive.

Labor Market Trends and Social Challenges

The Arab region’s labor markets were under strain even before these transitions, and now face heightened challenges. Unemployment remains persistently high, at an average 9.8% in 2024 – well above the global average and still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Youth unemployment is especially acute (frequently exceeding 20% in many Arab countries), and women’s labor force participation rates are among the lowest in the world. The ILO’s recent Arab States Employment Outlook attributes much of the jobs deficit to structural factors: in Gulf countries, labor markets are segmented between public-sector jobs for nationals and private-sector jobs for migrant workers, while in many non-GCC countries, instability, conflict and weak private sectors hamper job creation.

The result is that not enough decent, high-quality jobs are being generated for the fast-growing working-age population. One of the most striking aspects is the size of the informal economy. More than half of all workers in the Arab region are in informal or insecure employment, with no social protection or benefits. In 2023, an estimated 7.1 million workers – 12.6% of total employment – lived in working poverty, reflecting the large numbers of people engaged in low-paid, unstable jobs that barely lift them above poverty lines

. Such workers (often in agriculture, construction, retail, or gig services) typically lack contracts, health insurance, or retirement plans. The informal sector’s exposure to climate and digital transitions is a critical concern: informal workers are usually the first to suffer from economic disruptions or extreme weather events and the least equipped to seize new opportunities. For example, a heat wave or flood can destroy the livelihoods of informal farmers and street vendors who have no safety net. Likewise, digital automation can displace informal manual jobs (like casual clerical work or basic manufacturing) without those workers being noticed in unemployment statistics or offered retraining.

The Arab Center for Just Transition, therefore, stresses the importance of bringing informal workers into the fold of just transition policies, ensuring that social protection floors and training programs extend to them. Without deliberate inclusion, the twin transitions could widen the already significant social gaps in the region. Another major challenge is the skills mismatch in the labor market. Educational systems in many Arab countries have not adequately prepared graduates for the changing world of work. The ILO notes “inadequate education and skills development systems have resulted in a mismatch between the skills employers need and those workers can offer”, contributing to both unemployment and reliance on imported skilled labor in some cases.

This gap is especially problematic in fields related to the green and digital economies. A lack of specialists in renewable energy technology, cybersecurity, data science, or climate-smart agriculture can become a bottleneck as countries attempt to scale up these sectors. Moreover, systems for anticipating future skill needs are underdeveloped – most Arab countries lack comprehensive labor market data and forecasting capacity to plan for skills training, and non-GCC states face financial constraints in this area.

 The result is that training programs often trail behind industry needs. It is also important to recognize regional disparities within the Arab world. High-income Gulf states like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have more fiscal resources to invest in both green projects (e.g. large solar parks) and digital infrastructure (e.g. 5G networks), and they boast internet penetration rates near or above 90%. In contrast, low-income and conflict-affected countries (such as Yemen, Sudan, or Somalia) have minimal infrastructure, with internet usage sometimes below 30-40%, and are often coping with humanitarian crises that overshadow long-term transition planning. Middle-income nations like Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia fall somewhere in between – they have significant youth unemployment and informality, but also active civil societies and unions engaged in reform efforts. The Arab Center for Just Transition works through ATUC’s broad network (covering North Africa, the Levant, and Gulf unions) to tailor its approach to these varied contexts. For instance, in relatively stable countries it may focus on policy advocacy for green job creation, whereas in crisis-hit areas it may emphasize resilience and protecting basic worker rights amid upheaval. Lastly, the social justice dimensions of these transitions cannot be separated from questions of equity and inclusion. Women, youth, and migrant workers represent key vulnerable groups. Women in the Arab region not only have lower employment rates but also face digital barriers (as shown by the stark gender gap in internet access).

 Without targeted measures – from encouraging girls in STEM education to ensuring women farmers have access to climate-smart tools – the transitions risk perpetuating gender inequality. Youth, while adaptive to technology, need pathways from education into emerging green and tech jobs; otherwise, their frustration will grow in the face of jobless growth. Migrant workers, who form a large portion of the labor force in GCC countries, must also be included in just transition plans (e.g. if oil facilities close or construction slows, migrant laborers should receive support and not simply be sent home without compensation). It is telling that trade unions from Asia to the Arab region have begun forging alliances to protect migrant worker rights in the context of climate change and just transition policies.

 Social dialogue that includes representatives of these groups is vital to identify their needs. In summary, the Arab region’s labor landscape is marked by high unemployment, informality, skill gaps and inequality – all of which form the backdrop against which climate and digital transitions will play out. The urgency is clear: without proactive policies, these transitions could exacerbate existing challenges; with a people-centered approach, they could become engines of improved livelihoods and social justice.

Toward a Rights-Based and Inclusive Transition: Key Action Areas

Addressing the above challenges requires deliberate policy choices and concerted action. A just transition framework in the Arab region revolves around several key pillars that place workers and communities at the center of climate and digital strategies. The following action areas have been identified by trade unions, the ILO, and UN agencies as crucial for steering transitions that are socially inclusive and equitable:

• Social Dialogue and Participation: Effective transition strategies must be built through meaningful consultation with workers’ organizations and other stakeholders. The ILO’s guidelines and the ITUC stress that climate and digital policies should “uphold human and labour rights while fostering inclusive participation in policy formulation”. This means governments, employers, and unions engaging in tripartite dialogue to co-create national plans. In practical terms, social dialogue can help anticipate workforce changes, negotiate retraining or relocation programs for affected workers, and ensure buy-in for reforms. The Arab Center for Just Transition prioritizes convening such dialogues – for example, by organizing regional conferences on labor and climate policy – so that Arab trade unions can collectively influence national development plans and international negotiations. A recent example is ATUC’s involvement at COP28 in Dubai, where union representatives called for a Just Transition Work Programme that keeps labor issues at the core of global climate talks. By institutionalizing workers’ voice in decision-making, countries can better design transitions that have broad societal support.
• Strengthening Policy and Legal Frameworks: Governments should integrate just transition principles into their laws, regulations, and development frameworks. This involves reviewing labor laws, environmental laws, and digital economy strategies to incorporate protections and promotion of decent work. For instance, as countries update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement or craft “Green Economy” strategies, they should explicitly include commitments to job creation, social protection, and skills training (a point repeatedly highlighted by the ITUC and ATUC). Some progress is being made – several Arab states (Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia) have adopted new legislation to extend labor protections to non-traditional workers, such as freelancers and gig workers, which could benefit those in the digital platform economy. Likewise, countries formulating climate legislation are starting to mention just transition (e.g., Algeria’s climate plan references support for affected workers). The Arab Center assists by researching model policies and sharing international best practices (for example, learning from the European Just Transition Mechanism or South Africa’s Just Energy Transition framework). Strengthening legal frameworks also means enforcing labor standards in new industries – ensuring that green jobs are also good jobs with safe conditions, the right to unionize, and fair wages. Without a solid legal anchor, even well-intentioned transition plans may falter in implementation.
• Digital Inclusion and Infrastructure: Bridging the digital divide is essential for an inclusive future. Despite gains, nearly 30% of the region’s people remain offline, and many lack the bandwidth or devices to fully participate in the digital economy. Investments in ICT infrastructure (especially in underserved rural areas and least-developed countries) are needed so that high-speed internet becomes as commonplace as electricity. Equally important is investing in digital literacy and skills for marginalized groups – women, low-income communities, remote rural populations – to empower them to use digital tools. The United Nations Development Programme warns that a collaborative effort is required to “promote digital literacy and inclusion to address existing exclusions and leave no one behind”. The Arab Center for Just Transition advocates for national digital strategies that focus on universal access, affordability, and closing gender gaps. This could mean supporting public internet access points, subsidizing devices for students, or community training programs. Digital inclusion is not only a matter of equity; it also enhances economic resilience. For example, during the pandemic lockdowns, those countries with better digital access were able to continue education and some business activities, whereas others fell further behind. Going forward, ensuring everyone can benefit from digital technology will determine whether the digital transition reduces inequality – or reinforces it.
• Decent Work and Green Job Creation: A core goal of just transition is to create new jobs in sustainable sectors while preserving and improving existing ones. As noted, the potential is significant – millions of jobs could be generated in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and green industries if the right investments are made. Realizing this potential requires proactive policies: public and private investment aligned with climate goals, incentives for green enterprises (e.g. tax breaks or financing for clean tech startups), and development of local supply chains for green infrastructure. However, quantity of jobs is not enough – quality is key. The ITUC has called for enhanced climate ambition **“backed by just transition measures” to create quality jobs. This means new employment should respect the ILO’s Decent Work agenda – providing adequate wages, safe working conditions, job security, and rights. For instance, installing solar panels or expanding public transit can create work for thousands of technicians, engineers, and construction workers; with proper standards, these can be stable, formal jobs rather than precarious gigs. The Arab Center works with affiliates to identify where green jobs can be promoted in their countries (such as solar energy in Tunisia or Jordan, wind farms in Morocco, or eco-tourism in Egypt) and how to lobby for policies that support those sectors. It also encourages unions to organize workers in emerging green sectors to ensure labor rights are upheld from the outset.
• Education, Reskilling and Lifelong Learning: Given the fast-paced changes, continuous skills development is perhaps the most decisive factor in achieving a just transition. Many current jobs will evolve or disappear, while new occupations will emerge requiring updated competencies. Massive retraining programs are needed to help workers from declining industries (e.g. fossil fuels, certain manufacturing processes) shift into growing ones (renewables, digital services, etc.). For example, construction workers may need training in eco-friendly building techniques; oil technicians might retrain for work in solar or geothermal energy; clerical workers might learn digital skills for e-commerce. Importantly, as the ILO notes, many existing skills are transferable – a mechanic’s problem-solving ability is useful whether servicing a diesel engine or an electric vehicle – but additional upskilling is often required. To facilitate this, governments should invest in education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reforms. Modernizing curricula to include both green skills and digital skills across disciplines is critical. Universities and vocational institutes in the region are beginning to integrate sustainable development and ICT modules, but this needs scaling up. The private sector and unions can partner to provide on-the-job training opportunities in new technologies. Skills anticipation systems (forecasting future labor market needs) must be established so that training is targeted to real opportunities. The Arab Center for Just Transition places heavy emphasis on lifelong learning – encouraging policies that make retraining accessible at all career stages, including for older workers who might otherwise be left behind. Notably, the recent MENA decarbonization study underscores that optimal scenarios rely on strong upskilling, reskilling and investment in human capital and education, combined with social support for those at risk. In sum, empowering the workforce through education is a non-negotiable pillar of a just transition.Social Protection and Support for Vulnerable Groups: Transitions inevitably produce winners and losers in the short term, and justice demands that we cushion the impacts on those adversely affected. Robust social protection systems are therefore a cornerstone of just transition. Trade unions globally have insisted that universal social protection – including unemployment benefits, healthcare, and pensions – be part of national climate plans. In the Arab context, where informal and precarious work is widespread, expanding social insurance coverage is vital. This could involve innovative approaches like emergency unemployment schemes for climate-related job losses, or livelihood support for communities hit by climate disasters. Adequate funding for such measures is essential; at COP28, unions called for dedicated financing for just transition as part of climate finance mechanisms (e.g. leveraging the new Loss and Damage Fund to help workers rebuild livelihoods). Beyond financial support, vulnerable groups need targeted programs. For example, women workers should have access to reskilling in STEM fields and be supported to move into higher-paying green or digital jobs, closing gender gaps. Young people need apprenticeships and traineeships in new industries to get that critical first work experience. Migrant workers should receive equal treatment in any transition assistance – if a construction project employing migrants is halted for climate reasons, those workers should receive compensation or training, not simply termination. Communities dependent on a single polluting industry (a mining town or oil town) will need regional development plans to diversify their economies. The concept of “leaving no one behind” – a UN Sustainable Development mantra – resonates strongly in just transition, and it means designing policies with the most vulnerable in mind from the start. The Arab Center works with organizations like the ILO and UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) to advocate for social inclusion measures, and it helps unions develop proposals (e.g. for social protection floors or Just Transition funds) that can be presented to governments. Ensuring that both climate and digital transitions improve social justice outcomes, rather than deepen inequalities, is perhaps the ultimate test of their success.

The Role of the Arab Center for Just Transition

Amid these multifaceted challenges, the Arab Center for Just Transition emerges as a crucial institutional actor driving the labor-centered transition agenda in the region. Founded by the Arab Trade Union Confederation in partnership with global union allies, the Center functions as a dedicated platform for research, advocacy, and capacity-building on just transition issues. Its operations reflect a pragmatic, non-promotional approach focused on systemic change and worker empowerment:

• Supporting Member Unions: The Center provides technical assistance and resources to ATUC’s affiliated unions (representing millions of workers across MENA) so they can better address climate and digital issues. This includes training union leadership and activists on topics like climate change policies, negotiating over technology introduction at the workplace, and understanding the implications of new environmental regulations. By bolstering unions’ expertise, the Center enables them to engage more effectively with employers and governments. For example, it has organized workshops on renewable energy policy and how unions can advocate for decent jobs in that sector. Such initiatives help ensure that union representatives are well-informed and can propose concrete solutions – be it a “just transition agreement” when a factory closes or input into a national digital economy strategy to safeguard workers’ interests.
• Fostering Social Dialogue and Coalitions: True to the just transition ethos, the Center places a premium on dialogue. It serves as a convening hub, bringing together diverse stakeholders to discuss the way forward. At the regional level, the Center has co-hosted dialogues and conferences with bodies like the ILO Regional Office and ESCWA, where unionists, government officials, employers, and civil society experts exchange views. One notable event was a regional forum in Amman, jointly organized by ATUC in 2024, on “The Role of Trade Unions in the Just Transition in the Arab Region,” which facilitated candid discussions on national experiences and the role of social partnership. The Center also encourages South-South exchanges – for instance, linking Arab unionists with counterparts in Africa, Asia or Latin America who are dealing with similar transition challenges, to learn from each other. By fostering these conversations, the Arab Center helps break down silos between the labor movement and environmental or technology advocates, building broader alliances for change. It actively promotes the idea that only through social consensus and collective problem-solving can Arab countries navigate the disruptions ahead peacefully and productively.
• Research and Documentation of Best Practices: A key part of the Center’s mandate is to serve as a knowledge hub on just transition in the Arab world. It conducts and collates research on topics such as the impact of climate policies on employment, the state of green jobs in different Arab economies, the extent of the digital skills gap, and case studies of transition initiatives. By producing reports and policy briefs, the Center aims to fill data and information gaps – for example, documenting how the shift to solar energy is creating jobs for youth in one country, or how a new labor law in another country is protecting gig workers. These best practice examples are invaluable for inspiring and guiding other nations. The Center works closely with international organizations to source up-to-date statistics: it utilizes data from the ILO, ITUC, UN agencies like UNDP and UNEP, as well as regional organizations such as the League of Arab States or the Arab Labor Organization. By grounding its advocacy in solid evidence, the Center engages in institutional analysis rather than rhetoric. One concrete output has been a compendium of case studies on just transition, highlighting, for instance, how social dialogue in Tunisia’s energy sector led to a plan for phasing out phosphates mining with protections for miners, or how a digital upskilling program in Oman successfully retrained workers for the IT sector. By documenting these, the Center helps replicate successes across borders.
• Engagement in Global Forums: While rooted in the region, the Arab Center for Just Transition actively connects with the global stage to ensure Arab workers’ perspectives are heard and to bring international support to regional efforts. The Center coordinates closely with the ITUC’s Just Transition Centre (which was established in 2016 to drive the global union agenda on climate) and participates in global union delegations to events like the UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs). At COP27 and COP28, representatives from ATUC and the Center joined panel discussions and side events to voice Arab labor’s concerns, emphasizing issues like heat stress on workers and the need for climate finance to include a just transition component for developing countries. The Center also engages with the International Labour Organization – as seen on World Day of Social Justice 2024, where ATUC’s Executive Secretary shared the regional outlook on just transition alongside UN and ILO officials. These engagements not only raise the profile of Arab region challenges but also allow the Center to feed global lessons back home. By being present in international dialogues, the Center helps shape norms and garner commitments (for example, advocating for the ILO to develop more guidance specific to Arab States). It furthermore aligns its agenda with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing the message that climate action (#13) and industry innovation (#9) must go hand in hand with decent work and reduced inequalities (#8 and #10). Through global partnerships, the Arab Center bolsters its capacity – leveraging support from entities like the International Trade Union Confederation, the African Climate Foundation (which has helped launch similar labor transition centers in other regions), and various UN initiatives focused on just transition.

In summary, the Arab Center for Just Transition serves as both a catalyst and a support system: it amplifies labor’s voice in policy arenas, helps unions anticipate and manage change at the ground level, and ensures that knowledge and solidarity flow across the region. Its establishment under ATUC signals a recognition that the trade union movement must proactively engage with the defining issues of climate and technology, rather than react after the fact. By doing so, the Center exemplifies a forward-looking, institutional approach to social justice, aiming to safeguard workers’ rights and livelihoods amid the great economic transformations of our era.

The convergence of climate and digital transitions in the Arab region presents a historic opportunity to advance sustainable development – but only if these transitions are managed in a rights-based, inclusive, and socially just manner. A “just transition” approach, as championed by the Arab Center for Just Transition and like-minded institutions, insists that economic progress should not come at the cost of social cohesion or equity. Instead, climate action and digital innovation must be leveraged to improve the quality of life for all citizens, creating decent jobs, expanding rights, and reducing vulnerabilities. This requires deliberate policy effort: integrating strong labor and social provisions into environmental and technology policies, backed by data, funding, and enforcement. The analysis in this report has highlighted that Arab economies, while diverse, share common labor challenges – high unemployment, informality, skills deficits, and inequality – which could be compounded if transitions are left to market forces alone. Conversely, with proactive measures such as those discussed (social dialogue, robust legal frameworks, digital inclusion initiatives, green job investments, education reform, and social protection), the twin transitions can become a vehicle for much-needed structural change. They can help move economies away from over-reliance on unsustainable industries and outdated practices, towards more diversified, knowledge-driven, and climate-resilient models of development. Crucially, they can do so in a way that workers and communities gain security and agency, rather than experiencing dislocation and marginalization. For the international community – including UN agencies, development partners, and global trade union networks – supporting a just transition in the Arab region is both a matter of solidarity and self-interest. The principles being upheld here are universal: no worker should be left behind in the fight against climate change; no society should see sections of its population excluded from technological progress. As countries worldwide strive to meet the Paris Agreement targets and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Arab region’s pursuit of inclusive transitions offers lessons and underscores the need for cooperative action. International organizations can assist by providing technical expertise, facilitating finance for just transition programs (such as re-skilling funds or community renewal projects), and ensuring that forums like the UNFCCC and ILO keep justice considerations at the forefront of global agendas.

 In the years ahead, the Arab Center for Just Transition will play a pivotal role in monitoring progress and holding stakeholders accountable to the commitments of a fair transition. Its emphasis on evidence-based advocacy and social partnership will be key to navigating political and economic uncertainties in the region. Already, there are signs of hope: the recognition of “just transition” in high-level regional dialogues and policies is growing, and initiatives that blend climate ambition with job creation are being piloted. Yet, the road is long. As this report has articulated, success hinges on persistent effort to align climate and digital trajectories with the imperatives of decent work, social inclusion, and human rights. In conclusion, an inclusive climate and digital transition is not only possible – it is indispensable for the Arab region’s future. By centering the process on working people and vulnerable communities, the region can turn the dual crises of climate change and technological disruption into an opportunity to forge a new social contract. The Arab Center for Just Transition symbolizes this hopeful path: one where environmental sustainability and technological advancement go hand in hand with social justice. In the spirit of the United Nations and the international labor movement, the call to action is clear – to ensure that these transitions “leave no one behind” and to build Arab economies that are greener, more digital, and above all, more just for present and future generations.