Technologies such as robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are providing

opportunities in many places, while causing significant disruptions in others. The COVID-19 pandemic

has expedited the automation of many tasks, and created a substantial shift in labour markets worldwide,

where new skills will be demanded while others will become obsolete. This document presents a summary

of an ESCWA report, where results from the newly developed ESCWA Skills Monitor have been used

to analyse whether the type of skills and jobs demanded in the region address the needs of the Fourth

Industrial Revolution and the new era of economic development. To better relate to the future of work,

the analysis reveals whether Arab labour markets are demanding tomorrow’s skills, are gender and youth

inclusive, and whether demanded jobs can be linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).