SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2023 zeroes in on digital transformation
The recently concluded SAMENA Telecommunications Council’s Annual Leaders’ Summit of global and regional leaders, bringing market and government-sector representation from multiple continents, was held in Dubai on 15 May 2023.
The by-invitation only leadership meet was overseen under the patronage of TDRA-UAE in partnership from the UAE Cyber Security Council for the event and the ITU. SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2023 was supported by MOBILY, YANDEX, HUAWEI, strategic support from Saudi Arabia’s stc Group and Zain Group, as well as members’ ecosystem support of Avaya, a press communique indicated.
Under the theme ‘Sustainable Connectivity and Emerging Ecosystems in Digital Economy’, the Leaders’ Summit at Atlantis–The Palm, Dubai, welcomed renowned regional and global private-sector players to delve into discussions centred on ICT Infrastructure Requirements in Emerging Markets, SA-ME-NA Digital Services Landscape & New Digital Enablers; Multi-Dimensional Approaches in Cybersecurity; Evolution of 5G Digital Technologies, Future Mobile and Metaverse based Life and Business, among other important subject areas.
Exceptional participation
“This year’s Summit has attracted exceptional participation of stakeholders and privileged patronage and participation from UAE government bodies. We anticipate achieving new milestones in industry collaboration and multi-stakeholder cooperation-building in pursuit of advocacy on behalf of the industry,” affirmed Bocar BA, CEO & Board Member of the SAMENA Council, as he welcomed participants to the one-day summit.
“Mobily is pleased to express its commitment to accelerating digital development and socio-economic progress in the region. Dialogue continuously being enabled by SAMENA Council in the shape of Leaders’ Summit, serves as a great medium of support to Operators’ objectives,” asserted Eng. Salman Al Badran, CEO, Mobily, and Board Member, the SAMENA Council.
5.5G era
“We are stepping into the 5.5G era where all things are connected through intelligence, the value of connectivity is being unleashed, and the digital economy is booming. Huawei calls for broad collaboration between all stakeholders to address the challenges and safeguard their digital future, as it is a shared responsibility that cannot be addressed by one person, organization or nation alone,” commented Steven Yi, President, Huawei, Middle East and Central Asia.
“We value the need to collaborate to achieve the region’s digital requirements that can speed up the arrival of an intelligent and sustainable future and SAMENA Leaders’ Summit 2023 is a platform, which supports stakeholders to adjusting to innovative realities and achieving sustainable digital development”, Yi added.
Since 2018, the SAMENA Council’s Leaders’ Summit has been focused on 5G, which has catalyzed positive impact on 5G planning and development in the region, empowered cross-industry participation, as well as supported policy and regulatory consideration.
Stakeholders’ visibility
The Summit has provided the SA-ME-NA region’s stakeholders’ visibility on what to expect and prepare for in the new Digital Age.
In 2023, the Council aims to address evolution of 5G digital technologies and 5.5G ecosystem development requirements, building 21st century financial and telecom synergies, enabling digital competence and boost to the region’s digital economy, and supporting constructive enablement of a secure Cyberspace, the press communique concluded.
