Governor of the Communications Commission Delivers the Kingdom's Address at the World Telecommunication Development Conference Held in the Rwandan Capital "Kigali"

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, Governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission, explained that the Kingdom supports the main strategies and objectives of the International Telecommunication Union, which call for fast and affordable access to digital technology for all by 2030, adding in his address delivered as the Kingdom's representative at the World Telecommunication Development Conference held in the Rwandan capital "Kigali" that the Kingdom is harnessing all available capabilities to support future directions and guidance for developing the Union's sector and driving it toward further development and prosperity for all the world's peoples.

Al-Tamimi explained that the Kingdom is keeping pace with the changes the world is witnessing by opening horizons and strengthening communication with various relevant entities and organizations in order to achieve our shared goals, through which we seek to create and achieve sustainable development that contributes to confronting environmental and climate challenges, and new waves of pandemics and other crises, especially in developing and least developed countries, noting that in cooperation with our partners in the ITU we are working through a number of projects and initiatives such as the Connect2Recover initiative to strengthen digital infrastructure in countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which would enhance our capacity and the capacity of those countries to develop a communications system characterized by the highest levels of efficiency to confront the emergency situations we witness from time to time.

He noted that preparing and developing digital infrastructure and equipping it with the latest global technologies in a practical and effective manner, in a way that keeps pace with the rapid changes around us, has enabled the Kingdom to occupy an advanced position among G20 countries, ranking second in digital competitiveness and ninth globally in digital capabilities, in addition to the Saudi digital market being the largest and fastest-growing in the Middle East and North Africa.

He affirmed the Kingdom's interest in and care for developing and nurturing human capabilities, as this represents a key direction and one of the most prominent targets of Saudi Vision 2030, adding that the Kingdom is working in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union to develop and provide specialized programs for member states in the field of digital regulations to help bridge the digital divide and promote the transition to a digital economy.

His Excellency the Governor concluded his remarks by noting that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, since becoming a member of the International Telecommunication Union in 1949 and of its esteemed Council in 1965, has been harnessing its capabilities and human expertise to support its activities and participate in its various forums, and intends to continue its efforts to support the Union and its continued ability to keep pace with developments and changes, through renewing its candidacy for membership of the Union's Council and membership of the Radio Regulations Board during the upcoming Plenipotentiary Conference elections.

It is noted that the World Telecommunication Development Conference is held once every four years, with the participation of high-level delegations from the Union's member states, and aims to determine future strategies and objectives for the Union's Telecommunication Development Sector. The Kingdom also plays an important role in the conference's proceedings, as it chairs the Arab Group in preparation for the conference.