Page 11 - SAMENA Trends - May 2025

FEATURED SAMENA TRENDS

Through its initiatives, the SAMENA Council seeks to for the Goals), supporting international
collaboration in the digital space. Through
foster an environment that encourages business growth, this approach, the Council fosters cross-
promotes investment in digital infrastructure, and shapes border knowledge-sharing, ensuring that
policies that support innovation. Engaging with both public the benefits of digital transformation are
both inclusive and equitable, bridging gaps
and private sector stakeholders, the Council plays a key role between developed and developing regions
in ensuring that the regulatory environment facilitates the alike.

growth of a competitive digital economy. This collaboration One of the key regions being showcased
is also a catalyst for fostering entrepreneurship, aligning for its leadership in digital transformation
with global initiatives such as those of the International is the GCC, where the Council continues to
highlight the pioneering efforts of nations
Telecommunication Union (ITU) to encourage digital such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain,
innovation and business resilience. Qatar, Oman, and others, and spotlighting
the GCC’s advancements in e-government,
ICT infrastructure, telecom innovation, and
technology innovators, and regulators, the the diverse needs of the population and the regulatory frameworks that support
Council creates spaces for constructive businesses alike. them.
discussions around digital infrastructure,
regulatory frameworks, and the adoption The private sector remains a powerful The Council’s signature initiative, the
of next-generation technologies. This driver of digital transformation in the SA- Leaders’ Summit, created and sustained
collaborative approach ensures that the ME-NA region. Through its initiatives, over the years though partnership with
digital growth of the region remains both the SAMENA Council seeks to foster an the UAE’s TDRA, Huawei, and its board
sustainable and inclusive, addressing the environment that encourages business members, serves as a platform for in-depth
diverse needs of ecosystem partners, from growth, promotes investment in digital discussions on digital transformation.
private companies to governmental bodies. infrastructure, and shapes policies that Through such leadership platforms, the
SAMENA’s alignment with global digital support innovation. Engaging with both SAMENA Council ensures that the GCC’s
development goals reflects its commitment public and private sector stakeholders, the digital achievements are celebrated not
to fostering a digital ecosystem that Council plays a key role in ensuring that only within the region but internationally,
benefits not just the region, but also the the regulatory environment facilitates the helping to position the region as a leader in
broader global community. growth of a competitive digital economy. digital governance, telecom infrastructure,
This collaboration is also a catalyst for and innovation. that the SA-ME-NA region is
The SA-ME-NA region has made significant fostering entrepreneurship, aligning with well-positioned to navigate the challenges
strides in the adoption of 5G technology, with global initiatives such as those of the and seize the opportunities of the digital
plans already underway for 5G-Advanced, International Telecommunication Union age, paving the way for an inclusive,
especially in relation to AI and FWA, and 6G (ITU) to encourage digital innovation and innovative, and sustainable future for all.
developments – expected over the next five business resilience. By working together
years. In this rapidly evolving environment, with stakeholders across various sectors, The SA-ME-NA region is well-positioned to
the SAMENA Council advocates for the the SAMENA Council helps ensure that navigate the challenges and seize the
responsible and efficient deployment of businesses of all sizes are empowered to opportunities of the digital age, paving the
these cutting-edge technologies, including navigate the demands of an interconnected way for an inclusive, innovative, and
AI, while keeping sustainability at the world. sustainable future for all. It does, however,
forefront of its priorities. This advocacy is require accelerated collaboration, to ensure
in direct alignment with key United Nations The Council’s role extends beyond regional regional digital advancements are in
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), boundaries as it creates international harmony with sustainable development
particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and collaboration platforms while also actively goals. By supporting the private sector,
Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible participating in international forums and advocating for enabling digital policies, and
Consumption and Production). The discussions, advocating for global digital contributing to global digital discussions,
Council’s work ensures that advanced development goals. By promoting policies the region can tangibly contribute meaning-
technologies are leveraged to drive long- that focus on digital inclusion, the digital fully to global digital and sustainable devel-
term regional development, inclusion, divide, and the importance of cross-border opment, especially as it strives to be a key
and sustainability, enabling a future-proof partnerships, the SAMENA Council aligns digital hub of the world.
digital infrastructure that should serve its efforts with SDG 17 (Partnerships

11 MAY 2025