The SAMENA Telecommunications Council Leadership Summit focuses on discussing crucial emerging technologies for digital development

The 2024 edition of the SAMENA Telecommunications Council's Leaders' Summit, recognized as one of the most eagerly awaited annual international gatherings of ICT industry leadership, took place recently.

This summit attracted esteemed regional and global private-sector players, who came together to build upon discussions initiated in the previous edition. Additionally, the summit provided a platform to continue the dialogue from the SAMENA Council's earlier stakeholder roundtables and advocacy efforts conducted earlier in the current year. The event served as a pivotal opportunity for industry leaders to exchange insights, collaborate on key issues, and drive forward the agenda for digital transformation and innovation in the telecommunications sector.

Huawei plays a crucial role in fostering a legacy of stakeholder collaboration and showcasing technological enablement through its active participation in the Leaders' Summit platform. The company consistently reaffirms its dedication to multi-stakeholder collaboration and innovation, which is exemplified annually through its engagement in the Summit.

Huawei's commitment to driving collaboration and innovation within the telecommunications industry underscores its ongoing efforts to advance digital transformation and promote sustainable growth in the sector.In an interview with Tahawultech during the forum, Bocar A. BA., Chief Executive Officer of the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, emphasized the significant role of the Leaders' Summit in addressing key industry issues and requirements over the past decade.

The summit aims to highlight the needs of the industry, private-sector players, and leaders while promoting investment through effective regulatory frameworks. This annual conference serves as a platform for bringing together stakeholders from government, the private sector, academia, and technology providers to foster collaboration and drive innovation in the telecommunications sector.

Building digital trust is essential, encompassing cybersecurity and cyber safety to enhance network resilience. This endeavor necessitates substantial investment. Therefore, the discussion explores the incentives that governments can offer to stimulate private sector investment in cybersecurity.

Furthermore, the conference delves into the significance of cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence, underscoring the advantages of AI for consumers and citizens, as highlighted by His Excellency earlier. The focus remains on investment, financial strategies, and collaborative efforts to fortify cybersecurity measures and leverage cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Emphasizing collaborative efforts among all stakeholders, the goal is to reach a consensus and formulate unified positions that the GCC region can champion on the global stage. This collective approach underscores the importance of aligning perspectives, pooling resources, and presenting a cohesive voice to effectively advocate for the region's interests and priorities in international forums and discussions. By fostering collaboration and unity among stakeholders, the GCC region can strengthen its influence and promote shared objectives on a global scale.

He highlighted that the primary challenge confronting communication technology in the GCC and globally is the alignment of priorities. Emphasizing the importance of cooperation, he underscored that fragmentation is not sustainable. The advancement of digital technologies relies on ensuring consistent access to connectivity, network security, service availability, and affordability.

While some countries are more advanced in this regard, there is an opportunity for others to learn from their experiences to drive additional investment and scalability. This collaborative approach will not only boost market enablement but also yield returns for the private sector.