The Third Arab Regional Forum on Development of Cultural Industries and Creative Economy in the Arab World kicked off on December 15, 2025 in the city of Tozeur, Tunisia. 

The Forum, which ran from 15 to 17 December 2025, was organized by ALECSO in collaboration with the Tunis International Center for Digital Cultural Economy, under the theme: “Professions of the Future and Financing Creativity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”.

The opening session was attended by Mr. Chahine Zribi, Governor of Tozeur, Ms. Saloua Abdelkhalek, Director-General of the Tunis International Center for Digital Cultural Economy, and Ms. Rania Abed, Cultural Affairs Delegate in Tozeur, along with representatives of regional and local authorities, and relevant  experts and specialists from various Arab countries.

ALECSO was represented by two experts from the Culture Department : Dr. Ahmedou Habibi and Dr. Mustapha Hammadi.

The Forum was designed to promote dialogue and expertise-sharing on ways to develop cultural and creative industries, and to explore mechanisms for financing creativity, in light of the rapid digital transformations and the proliferation of AI tools; the aim being to support creators and cultural institutions and startups, while maximizing opportunities for investment and employment in this vital sector.

Speaking on behalf of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, Dr. Ahmedou Habibi emphasized that all data and statistics indicate that cultural and creative industries are the fastest-growing worldwide. These industries constitute a sustainable development option that encompasses a wide range of key sectors and represents a point of convergence between the fields of arts, culture, heritage, economy, and technology. He pointed out that cultural and creative industries possess characteristics that make them a central pillar for enhancing the role of culture in achieving development goals.

Mr. Chahine Zribi, Governor of Tozeur, highlighted the importance of hosting such regional events, given their role in supporting the creative economy and strengthening the place of culture as a strategic development option, particularly in light of the new opportunities offered by digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

Ms. Rania Abed noted that the theme of the Forum lies at the heart of the Culture Ministry’s interests, priorities, and strategies, reflecting a firm belief that culture and creativity are strategic developmental and economic objectives that deserve due attention, given their key role in highlighting and enhancing Arab cultural achievements.

Through its scientific sessions and specialized workshops, the Forum discussed a number of issues related to cultural creativity, digital transformation, protection of cultural content, creators’ rights, and the role of digital platforms in developing cultural and creative industries. 

The Forum concluded with a set of significant recommendations.