Page 121 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Electronic Communications Sector on several matters, such as published two draft application forms regarding the authorization
expanding the scope of conditions for authorization applications; of operators, the notification form and application form for the
the calculation of authorization fees and payment of fees for right right to use. In addition, pursuant to the Draft Regulation on
to use; information and documents that authorized operators Authorization Periods and Competency Controls, the ICTA is
will regularly share with the ICTA; and authorization cancellation planning to introduce new regulations regarding the calculation
process for operators failing to provide electronic communication of authorization and authorization renewal periods, as well as the
services. In accordance with the proposed changes, the ICTA also competency control periods. (December 17, 2019) mondaq.com

United Arab Emirates

The UAE, represented by the General Authority for Regulating the largest social equivalent. As for the second principle, it provides
Telecommunications Sector, participated in the 23rd session of for reliance on youth as a drive for progress and construction in
the Council of Arab Ministers of Communications and Information the digital world, as they are the means to tackle future challenges
hosted by the Saudi capital Riyadh on December 17-18, under the and the cyberspace, and the key to transforming the Arab digital
theme “An Arab ambition for a Digital Generation”, in the presence of world into an icon of the world. The third principle stated the
a number of telecommunications and information ministers from importance of Arab data as a fundamental factor for digital
Arab countries. The UAE delegation was headed by H.E. Hamad development and future leadership, and as a key enabler for the
Obaid Al Mansouri, TRA Director General, and included a number 4IR and digital economy. The fourth principle of the Declaration
of TRA managers and staff. The meeting discussed the future of stipulates activating innovation, since it is the best way to realize
joint Arab action in ICT, its global developments and implications aspirations. Striving to support innovators, creators and leaders
for the Arab world in the domains of economy, health, education by providing a nurturing environment to encourage innovation and
and others. The meeting also discussed the proposal of the joint entrepreneurship in all sectors. Lastly, the fifth principle mentions
Arab Digital Declaration “Building a prosperous and sustainable the importance of the union of Arab forces, as military blocs and
Arab digital society”, which reflects the wish of Arab countries to groupings are of utmost necessity. Concerted efforts and stances
work on building a prosperous, sustainable and harmonious Arab are required to make the Arab region a regional and global power
digital society where individuals can grow towards development; a in the digital world. (December 21, 2019) tra.gov.ae
society in which individuals, communities and nations can unlock
their full potential to advance their sustainable development and Government and private entities signed a number of MoUs to
improve their quality of life, based on the purposes and principles implement and activate the UAE Pass, during a forum organized by
of the Arab League Charter. In his speech during the meeting, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), in partnership
H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri stressed that the importance of with the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA) and Smart Dubai. The
such event stems from the importance of the ICT sector, as every signed agreements aim to activate the mechanisms of the UAE
development witnessed in the world has become correlated to Pass App, and exchange data between the parties participating
how advanced the telecommunications infrastructure is, adding: in this initiative, which enhances the UAE digital transformation.
“I hope that the Arab Digital Declaration, in letter and spirit, will It also aims to make the UAE Pass one of the important pillars of
be the title of a new Arab era, an era in which potentials of Arab the integrated and interconnected government that provides joint
youth will be unleashed from the ocean to the Gulf, and in which services to the public in cooperation with the private sector. In
their creative ideas will sprout to contribute to making a bright this regard, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General,
sustainable digital future.” He added: “We have 100 million youth congratulated the participating entities for the implementation of
in the Arab world aged between 15 to 29. These men and women UAE Pass, considering it as a milestone in the process of digital
have immense potential. Either we leave them exposed to darkness government. H.E. Al Mansoori said: “This project reflects the
and obscurantism, or we take their hands into enlightenment and directives of the wise leadership towards building a sustainable
development by investing their energy in moving forward and digital future, and providing easy, fast and interactive government
making the future. This announcement is the junction between the services that achieve customer happiness. The UAE Pass project
two paths. If we are to succeed in making it part of our children’s embodied the principle of partnership between the public and
thinking and interests, we will have made the right choice, and private sectors, and here we see well-established businesses
this is what we all wish for.“ The Arab Digital Declaration included participating in the journey of digital development, realizing a
five common Arab principles for building a prosperous and necessity that we in the UAE apprehend more than others, namely
sustainable Arab digital society, with the first principle ensuring that cooperation between all sectors leads to digital society. A
a digital economy as a new way to promote community growth productive and sustainable digital society is like a shadowing
and stability. Overcoming any obstacle to maximize benefits of tree, its trunk is the home from which we derive strength and
such economy. In addition to reflecting on the Fourth Industrial determination, and its leafy branches are the entities that give life
Revolution (4IR), being the greatest economic multiplier, and the and spread their shadows to all.” During the event, TRA signed

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