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Iraq seeks ITU support to propel digital transformation and close digital divide

Ali Al-Moayyed, Chairman of the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) of Iraq, has formally invited Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to visit Iraq. This invitation aligns with Iraq’s goal to bolster international cooperation and advance its digital transformation initiatives.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the Future Summit in New York, Al-Moayyed and Bogdan-Martin discussed various aspects of Iraq’s digital strategy, including the modernization of its telecommunications infrastructure and alignment with global technological trends. The discussions, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), emphasized Iraq’s efforts in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, electronic payments, and banking sector reforms—all crucial for integrating into the global digital economy.

A significant topic of their dialogue was addressing Iraq’s persistent digital divide. The leaders explored strategies for universal service projects and the recent advancements in Iraq’s telecommunications and IT sectors. Al-Moayyed stressed the importance of international cooperation to achieve digital inclusivity across Iraq.

Highlighting Iraq’s youthful and technologically adept population, Al-Moayyed underscored the importance of ITU’s support in nurturing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. He advocated for targeted capacity-building initiatives, particularly focusing on training human resources and bolstering the private sector and startups, which are vital for Iraq’s digital future.

In her response, Bogdan-Martin expressed the ITU’s steadfast commitment to supporting Iraq’s digital journey. She lauded the CMC’s achievements in enhancing Iraq’s telecom and IT infrastructure and reaffirmed the ITU’s readiness to provide ongoing technical and regulatory guidance. Bogdan-Martin emphasized the ITU’s role in policy shaping and regulatory refinement, ensuring Iraq’s technological advancements lead to sustainable and secure digital growth.

Furthermore, Bogdan-Martin assured continued collaboration, with her team maintaining active communication with the CMC to support the success of their joint initiatives.



Source: https://meatechwatch.com/2024/09/24/iraq-seeks-itu-support-to-propel-digital-transformation-and-close-digital-divide/

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