Eyeing at the weak Information and Communications Technology (ICT) indicators in Arab region, UNDP has introduced a regional initiative namely, 'Information and Communities Technologies for Development in the Arab Region' (ICTDAR).
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) indicators in the Arab region are still weak, (penetration for landlines, mobile phones and Internet access are still only at 10percent, 24percent and 8percent respectively), way behind the developed world. Therefore the UNDP Covering all Arab countries, ICTDAR's main aim is to assist Arab States in harnessing ICT to reduce poverty, address digital divides and improve both public administration performance and private sector hold and expansion. As an integral part of their objectives, an e-Governance programme was launched to provide policy advice to Arab government, establish a regional e-Governance Institute (REGI) and setting up an e-Governance portal to provide knowledge resources and tools as well as regulatory and legal information.
