Page 73 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Bahrain Honored at ITU WSIS Forum 2022 for Digital Policies

Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment digital fields. The policies where about learn about the latest developments in
Authority (iGA) has been honored for Digital-First Policy, which reaffirms the ICT. The iGA had won several accolades
its Digital Policies project at the World kingdom’s commitment to providing new at the local, regional, and international
Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) eServices while digitizing traditional ones. levels, including more than 20 for its IT
Forum 2022. Held by the International It showcased the Digital Government projects and initiatives, over 13 regional
Telecommunications Union (ITU) in Geneva as a right policy, which stipulates that awards and 11 local ones. ITU, the
and sustainability as one of its objectives, government entities which provide services United Nations Educational, Scientific
the event is the largest annual gathering to the public must adopt digital solutions and Cultural Organization (Unesco),
of Information and Communication and offer eServices to beneficiaries, and the UN Development Program, and the
Technology (ICT) community members. the Once Only Data Policy, which eliminates United Nations Conference on Trade and
iGA Chief Executive, Mohammed Ali Al Qaed the need to present additional documents Development (Unctad) co-organized the
congratulated His Majesty King Hamad when conducting transactions in cases Forum. Al Qaed held a number of meetings
bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness were beneficiaries’ data is already available in parallel to the forum with ministers, senior
Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the at government organizations and can be officials, representatives of international
Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on this accessed through biometric fingerprinting. organizations such as the UN Department
recognition for Bahrain, which highlighted Al Qaed participated in a number of of Economic and Social Affairs (Undesa),
the Digital Policies project as a pioneering sessions at the Forum, which covered and experts. ITU, which held the WSIS
initiative at the Forum. He praised HRH topics such as ICT in entertainment, and Forum 2021 via videoconference, honored
the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s flexibility in cooperating with the WSIS the winning nations for their projects in
vision and directives towards advancing to advance the United Nations (UN) 2021 and 2022. The summit enhances the
digital transformation and building a digital Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). exchange of information and best practices
culture and society. The iGA was tasked In parallel he also held a meeting with and helps forge partnerships between
with drafting the policies as per directives ITU Secretary-General, Houlin Zhao to stakeholders with the aim of achieving the
of the Supreme Committee for Information discuss opportunities for cooperation and SDGs.
and Communications Technology (SCICT)
and the Cabinet’s approval. The launch of
the policies affirmed the kingdom’s digital
readiness and ability to keep pace with
technological developments. Al Qaed said
that this global recognition, which adds to
the iGA’s growing list of accomplishments,
was made possible thanks to the support
of Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Shaikh Rashid
bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, who helped the
authority implement government directives
and draft the policies in record time. He
thanked the participating committees and
Bahraini talents for their role in helping
the kingdom make this achievement. The
Digital Policies include a set of procedures
that regulate digital transformation at
various government entities, establish
organizational foundations for providing
eServices, and support creativity in

Iran’s MCI Expands 5G to Kish Island

State-owned Mobile Communication off the coast of southern Iran. A report from has been taking place this week on the
Company of Iran (MCI) has expanded its 5G Ebinews says the launch coincided with the island. MCI first introduced 5G services in
coverage with a launch on the island of Kish, KITEX 2022 International Exhibition which Tehran in March 2021.

73 MAY-JUNE 2022