Page 9 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2023

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

"As Bocar BA rightly said at the first annual meeting of the
ITU's Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, held in Geneva:
"Digital transformation is a must-have. It's a necessity."
The Partner2Connect Digital Coalition is action-oriented
- no more words but actual commitments. We've received
close to 600 pledges and they're valued at nearly US$30
billion, and they come from the private and public sector
entities like yourselves. My message to you is simple:

Together we can turn the new challenges facing our
H.E. Ms. Doreen Bogdan industry into new opportunities for our people and our
Martin planet...and can unlock the opportunities of digital
Secretary General
ITU transformation for the benefit of all."

development throughout the world, ITU, with H.E. Ms. Doreen Eng. Alhamedi Alanezi, CEO of Arabsat and board member
Bogdan-Martin having taken office as the first woman Secretary- of SAMENA Council, stated that “The future of sustainable
General in over a century, and who also delivered a strong message innovation and development in the ICT field has to be anchored
during RISE as the first main conference of the year 2023, has been on complementarity between the terrestrial and satellite industries
promoting the need for collaborations and partnerships, and the with the objective of not only empowering urban communities but
necessity to address challenges and opportunities offered by ICTs to also not leave anyone behind. Alhamedi added that a robust
in the areas of innovation, governance, education, job creation and digital economy is not resilient and sustainable enough without
economic growth. bridging the digital divide.”

Eng. Olayan AlWetaid, Group CEO of stc and Chairman of the Eng. Salman Al Badran, CEO of Mobily and board member of
Board of Directors of SAMENA Council, who delivered a welcome SAMENA Council, who was among the key partners to make RISE
message during RISE, had earlier stated that “As the Kingdom's possible, had stated that “We support SAMENA Council's initiative
maturity shifts into a world-class digital nation driven by Vision to address ICT sustainability challenges and various other issues.”
2030, among the many initiatives now taking place within the Mr. Colin Wang, Managing Director of China Mobile International
Kingdom, the RISE Conference is structured to address the Middle East & Africa remarked that "Sustainability and collaboration
emerging needs and challenges of the digitally transforming are the keys to a better digital future… We at CMI are committed to
businesses, economic sectors, telecom industries and the society shaping a better and greener digital future by driving technological
at large becoming a platform toward sustainability in investment innovation and adoption through cooperation with carriers,
and improved collaborations.” enterprises and industry peers worldwide."

9 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2023