Muscat Hosts MENOG 24 to Strengthen Internet Infrastructure in the Middle East
Muscat, Oman, December 5, 2024 – The 24th edition of the Middle East Network Operators Group (MENOG 24) meetings began on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Muscat. The event brought together over 150 Internet experts and specialists from 35 countries.
Hosted by Awasr Oman, the leading Omani telecommunications provider specialising in high-speed fibre-optic broadband, the event gathered a distinguished group of experts, decision-makers, and stakeholders to discuss developments in Internet infrastructure and foster interconnection and networking. The discussions focused on creating a sustainable digital infrastructure to support the future of the Internet in Oman and the region.
The opening session featured welcome remarks from the organisers and the event sponsor, Awasr. Eng. Adnan Al-Alawi, CEO of Awasr, stated, "We are honoured to host the MENOG 24 meetings in Muscat. This event provides an important platform to address the challenges and opportunities facing the Internet in the Middle East. By fostering collaboration among experts and industry leaders, we can build a future-ready Internet that supports the region's digital transformation journey."
Mr. Hans Petter Holen, Managing Director of the RIPE NCC, highlighted the strategic importance of the event in promoting collaboration among Internet stakeholders in the region. He said, "Through our support for MENOG, we aim to share best practices, tackle challenges, and lead initiatives that enhance the development of region's Internet, network reliability, and security. Hosting this forum in Muscat underscores Oman's commitment to advancing regional cooperation and supporting digital transformation."
Oman has been highly active in implementing digital transformation initiatives, particularly through its National Digital Economy Programme. This programme aims to build a robust digital economy by establishing an advanced and secure infrastructure that enables a cohesive digital government aligned with the country’s economic and social development plans, in line with Oman Vision 2040.
The MENOG meetings provide a specialised platform to address critical issues related to Internet operations, infrastructure, and governance. Participants include Internet service providers, mobile network operators, content creators, cloud and infrastructure service providers, government officials, experts, and business leaders.
Preceding the main event, specialised technical workshops were held in collaboration with leading organisations such as the RIPE NCC, ISOC, and ICANN. These workshops covered essential topics such as IPv6 deployment, Internet Protocol security, and DNS protection while exploring innovative solutions to improve network performance
Source: https://www.menog.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Press-Release-MENOG-24-5-Dec-2024.pdf