Page 69 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Qatar’s President of the Communications Regulatory Authority, Eng.

Ahmad Abdulla AlMuslemani, Nominated as Chair-designate for ITU’s Next
Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26)

Qatar, the host country of the next International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), has
nominated Eng. Ahmad Abdulla AlMuslemani, President of the
Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), as Chair-designate.
The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP) is the highest decision-
making body of ITU, the UN Agency for Digital Technologies. PP-
26 will take place in Doha, Qatar, from 9 to 27 November 2026.
"ITU's next Plenipotentiary Conference in Qatar will set the stage
for a digital future where human-centered technology drives
progress and inclusion for everyone," said ITU Secretary-General
Doreen Bogdan-Martin. "Under Eng. Ahmad Abdulla AlMuslemani's
leadership, I'm confident that PP-26 will make great strides in
advancing ITU's mission to connect the world meaningfully and
sustainably." Delegates representing ITU's 193 Member States
meet every four years at the Plenipotentiary Conference to set
out the organization's strategic and financial plans. They also
elect ITU's senior management team, the Member States of
the ITU Council, and the members of the Radio Regulations
Board. His Excellency Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Qatar's
Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said:
“This appointment underscores Qatar's commitment to shaping
the future of global communications and ensuring equitable
access to information and communication technologies for all.
We are confident that AlMuslemani's extensive experience will
be instrumental in guiding the conference towards impactful
resolutions and fostering a collaborative environment for the
ITU member states." As Chair-designate, AlMuslemani will work
with ITU and its Member States to prepare for PP-26, which will
guide the organization's work through 2030 in overseeing global
radio spectrum allocation, creating global technical standards,
and advancing sustainable development through connectivity
to digital technologies. “Qatar has a proven track record of
successfully organizing and hosting major international events.
We are confident that Qatar will be an exemplary host for the
ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. It will be our honor to welcome
the global ICT community to Doha, where we will share our rich
culture, heritage, and hospitality. This conference presents an
invaluable opportunity for us to collectively advance the global
ICT agenda, fostering innovation and cooperation that will shape
the future of digital technologies worldwide," said AlMuslemani.
The decision to host PP-26 in Doha was adopted by consensus aligning Qatar's digital transformation initiatives with the National
by ITU Member States in October 2022 at ITU's Plenipotentiary Development Strategy and Digital Agenda 2030. AlMuslemani
Conference 2022, in Bucharest, Romania. In its bid to host PP- holds a Master's degree in Communication Systems from the Swiss
26, the country noted its strong infrastructure for information Institute of Technology and a Master's in Management from HEC
and communication technologies as well as its status as a world Paris in Qatar. He also obtained a Bachelor's degree in Electrical
leader in organizing and hosting major events, including high- and Computer Engineering from Ohio State University, USA. His
level global and regional conferences across a variety of sectors. combined technical and managerial expertise spans Big Data, the
As CRA President, AlMuslemani leverages over 18 years of rich Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, and notably, the deployment
experience in the information and communication technologies of 5G networks, which are pivotal in enhancing connectivity
sector to strategically shape regulatory policies and digital and technological access throughout Qatar. This expertise will
infrastructure development. His leadership plays a crucial role in undoubtedly add significant value to the PP-26 discussions.

69 MAY-JUNE 2024