Qatar affirmed that digital transformation is essential to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 and building an advanced country capable of achieving sustainable development and ensuring the continuation of a decent life for its citizens.
This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Dr Hind Abdul Rahman Al Muftah, during her participation in the round table discussion, within the framework of the annual World Summit on the Information Society Forum, held in Geneva from March 13-17.
Her Excellency noted that one of the State of Qatar's strategic priorities is to increase the information technology sector by 50 percent by 2024, pointing out that the State of Qatar has achieved almost comprehensive broadband coverage, access to every home, 5G coverage, and the nearly 100 percent internet usage for individuals.
Her Excellency recalled Qatar's commitment to supporting the proposed strategic goals and objectives of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2024-2027, noting the recent announcement by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of cooperation with technology providers to train 50,000 people by 2025 in advanced digital skills to accelerate digital transformation in the State of Qatar.
HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva indicated that advanced technology enabled the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to be carbon-neutral for the first time ever and to develop special air-cooling technology inside stadiums to ensure the health and safety of all concerned.
Her Excellency pointed out that the State of Qatar hosted from March 5-9, 2023, the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), noting that one of the critical issues discussed at length during the conference was how to make better use of science, technology and innovation in supporting the efforts of the least developed countries to eradicate poverty, transition to sustainable development, and become able to compete globally.
Her Excellency said that the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) constitutes a promising document for digital development in the LDCs, expressing Qatar's commitment to work with the ITU to achieve individual and common goals.