​"From responding to challenges to anticipating the future : Towards a sovereign Arab system for adult education, lifelong learning, and digital transformation"   The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, the Arab League Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ALECSO), the countries of the world, educational institutions and civil society organizations participate in celebrating the International Day of Adult Education and Lifelong Learning   on September 8, 2026, this international date approved by UNESCO in 1967 to remind the world that reading and writing is a fundamental right. Of human rights. This International Day also represents an opportunity to remember the existing humanitarian challenges, as hundreds of millions of adults around the world suffer from a lack of basic reading and writing skills, as estimates indicate that two-thirds of this percentage are women, which reflects a continuing gap in equal learning opportunities.  The general rate of illiteracy in Arab countries is estimated at about 25%, according to the latest international reports published in early 2026, and there are millions of children and adolescents who do not go to school in an era of amazing technological development that requires expanding the concept of adult education to include digital and media skills. Accordingly, the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and ALECSO renew their firm commitment to joint Arab and educational work, and to push towards strengthening Arab efforts to build policies and develop strategies that enable the adoption of comprehensive and integrated national options to ensure: support for adult education and lifelong learning. The right to education, reading, writing, and control of modern technology are considered a basis for human dignity. Supporting marginalized groups and focusing on educating the poorest women, girls and children. Raising awareness and urging governments and communities to increase support for adult education programmes. Providing exceptional care for countries with special needs and those affected by crises. Make adult education and lifelong learning programs a lever of resilience and a mechanism for restoring the societal fabric and qualifying human resources. In implementation of these options, the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and the Arab League Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recall that the celebration of International Literacy Day this year takes place at a pivotal stage that the Arab world is going through, as the matter requires, more than ever before, a qualitative transition from the traditional approaches that have reduced adult education. The Arab League and the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) expressed their firm and firm commitment to placing Arab countries with special needs - especially those experiencing exceptional circumstances, prolonged crises, or armed conflicts - at the top of the priorities of the Arab education agenda; It is not possible to build an integrated and sustainable Arab future while sister educational systems face the risk of collapse and severe dropout. The two institutions emphasize that the right to quality and safe education is an inherent right that cannot be disrupted or compromised under any circumstances, which requires a joint Arab effort to establish “regional educational flexibility” concerned with: ensuring urgent response and emergency education. ​Rebuilding and repairing damaged systems and rehabilitating damaged institutions. ​Integrated psychological and social support and inclusion of psychological and social recovery programs within educational environments to deal with the effects resulting from crises. Equality and equal opportunities and giving top priority to the most vulnerable groups and residents of threatened areas, to ensure that no Arab learner is neglected in the development process. ​ In conclusion, the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) renew their call for serious and joint Arab action to reduce the illiteracy rate to less than 5% by 2034 within the framework of the “Second Arab Decade for Literacy and Lifelong Learning 2025-2034.” The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and ALECSO also affirm that the joint efforts of Arab official and civil society represent the basic guarantee to make lifelong learning a guaranteed right, and a means to empower the Arab citizen and qualify him to be effective and qualified to take part in the future with confidence and ability.