The event witnessed broad participation from key stakeholders across the digital landscape
HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance & Coexistence, inaugurated the SAMENA Telecommunications Council Leaders’ Summit 2026, held at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai, under the theme: Intelligent Networks for Sovereign and Sustainable Futures.
The summit was convened at a sensitive time in the region, bringing together a distinguished group of leaders and decision-makers from the telecommunications, technology, policy, and investment sectors, underscoring the importance of continued dialogue, coordination, and strengthened partnerships across the industry.
The summit was held in strategic collaboration with Huawei and under the principal patronage of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), reflecting the UAE’s continued leadership in advancing a stable, forward-looking digital ecosystem.
Trusted hub
The event witnessed broad participation, both in person and virtually, from key stakeholders across the digital landscape, reaffirming the UAE’s position as a trusted hub for industrial cooperation and strategic dialogue.
In this context, HE Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan delivered a keynote address at the opening of the summit.
“I would like to begin by extending my warmest congratulations to the SAMENA Council on the occasion of its twentieth anniversary. Over the past two decades, the Council has played a constructive role in shaping dialogue, fostering cooperation, and advancing strategic thinking across our region. During these years, I have come to know the SAMENA Council as an organization that embraces creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking,” he affirmed.
Firm foundations
“This year’s meeting takes place at a time of heightened tensions and conflicts in the region. While this undoubtedly presents a challenge, the United Arab Emirates has never approached challenges with hesitation. We face them from a position of strength, built on firm foundations established with great care and exceptional vision over more than five decades. These foundations continue to be strengthened under the leadership of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, with the strong support of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai,” he added.
He added: “The theme of this summit is both timely and highly relevant. ‘Intelligent Networks for Sovereign and Sustainable Futures’ reflects the reality that our digital future is inseparable from our economic future, our security, and our humanity. This theme addresses critical issues such as data centers, cybersecurity, and the regulation of technology companies.
Digital sovereignty
He further noted that digital sovereignty and sustainability are of critical importance to the SAMENA region. It is a region defined by strategic geography, ambitious digital transformation, advanced infrastructure, energy systems, logistics corridors, financial flows, smart cities, and growing investments in artificial intelligence. regional cooperation and coordination.”
The summit witnessed strong participation from telecom operators, regulators, global technology providers, and international organizations. Partners contributed specialized sessions addressing key industry transformations, including the evolution of advanced 5G technologies, the integration of artificial intelligence into networks and industrial systems, and the emergence of new connectivity models combining terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
Discussions highlighted the increasing complexity of the operating environment for telecom operators, driven by the rapid growth in demand for data and digital services, rising investment requirements, evolving regulatory frameworks, and the need for sustainable revenue models.
Traditional connectivity
Participants emphasized that the next phase requires moving beyond traditional connectivity models and focusing on value creation through enterprise solutions, digital platforms, and specialized applications.
For his part, Bocar BA, CEO and Board Member of the SAMENA Council, emphasized that convening the summit amid current regional conditions reflects the importance of continued dialogue and coordination among stakeholders, noting that developing digital infrastructure is a necessity that cannot be postponed.
He added that the outcomes of the summit will contribute to advancing regional and international discussions on spectrum policy, AI governance, connectivity models, and investment in digital infrastructure.
The summit concluded by reaffirming the SAMENA Council’s pivotal role as a platform uniting public and private sectors, fostering partnerships, supporting innovation, and ensuring that technological advancements translate into tangible economic and societal value.
