This report constitutes the Arab region’s main input into the CONFINTEA Mid-Term Review process. It is also an attempt at a critical assessment of the progress made since the Fifth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA), which took place in Hamburg in July 1997, and the Arab Regional Preparatory Conference, which took place in Cairo in February of that year.

The sub-Saharan region is the region with the highest prevalence of HIV worldwide. In 1998 the Durban Statement adopted by the MINEDAF VII Conference of African Ministers of Education stressed the urgent need of joint efforts to combat the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS “with all means at our disposal”. The Dakar Framework for Action adopted by the World Education Forum in April 2000 underlined that “programmes to control and reduce the spread of the virus must make maximum use of education's potential to transmit messages on prevention and to change attitudes and behaviours”.

2002 was a very special year for UIE. On 14 June, UIE celebrated its 50th anniversary in a spirit of renewed self-confidence and optimism. Although the Institute is now facing a tighter budget than in previous years, the threat of insolvency and uncertainty is now definitely averted. This is due in large measure to the support of many partners all over the world. UIE wishes to thank especially the German government and the government and Parliament of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg for their continuing support and hospitality to the Institute.