This document provides information and ideas intended to assist the ministers of education and those responsible for economic planning in the Arab States in deliberations and the formulation of recommendations. After an introduction, chapter 1 briefly reviews the achievements of the first four conferences, summarizes developments, and outlines some of the resulting trends and problems. Chapter 2 deals with the universalization and renewal of basic education and the eradication of illiteracy and recounts efforts made at regional and international levels for the provision of basic education for all. Chapter 3 addresses the provision of educational opportunities to special and underprivileged groups and suggests a number of measures to improve the conditions of such groups. Chapter 4 looks at the role of postsecondary and higher education in basic education and literacy programs. The fifth and final chapter provides an overview of regional and international co-operation for educational development and presents a series of questions for the conference. (CK)