Page 9 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

SAMENA COUNCIL ADVOCACY SAMENA TRENDS

However, for telecom operators, the With digital transformation arrives a need and regulatory body.
benefits are obvious. 5G-A offers a to revisit and revive enabling regulatory
significant opportunity to expand service frameworks, which must be adjusted to As the SAMENA Council advances its
offerings and generate new revenue stimulate investment while maintaining a efforts in representing the private sec-
streams – allowing for innovative healthy level of innovation, competition, tor and advocating in support of industry
solutions to be provided to a wide range and market resilience. There is no true interests, it seeks to cultivate an environ-
of customers, including enterprises and digital transformation if these factors are ment characterized by sustainability, pre-
industries. Moreover, from an economic not in play. dictability, and collaborative reforms. The
perspective, 5G-A will play a crucial role in council’s platforms are ever ready to pro-
driving digital transformation and fostering How do you envision the role of the vide the necessary foundation and sup-
economic growth in the region. SAMENA Council evolving in the coming port to make progress on relevant areas,
years to address emerging challenges and important for the Industry, for its leaders,
By enabling the deployment of advanced opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital and the society, at large.
technologies such as IoT, AI, cyber-secu- landscape of the region?
rity, and automation, 5G-A will create new The SAMENA Telecommunications Council Given the evolution of connectivity
industries, new synergies, and opportuni- is poised to play an increasingly significant and inter-connectedness, one of the
ties for businesses and citizens alike. role in the evolving digital landscape of the consequences both businesses and
SA-ME-NA region and, to some extent, citizens have to deal with includes threats
As I see it, 5G-A will contribute to in Central Asia as well. Central to the to cyber systems and digital users. Which
sustainable development, in particular, SAMENA Council’s mission is ensuring the market in the SA-ME-NA region, do you
in the Arab States, by enabling sustainability of the telecommunications opine, is doing significant work on this
energy-efficient solutions, supporting industry and the expanding 5G/5G-A front to engage stakeholders from all over
environmental monitoring initiatives, and digital ecosystem. the world?
enabling circular economy models through Cybersecurity is an imperative across all
IoT and AI, all of which can facilitate the This endeavor involves a concerted markets and no country is exempted from
development of smart municipalities and effort from telecommunications service facing this issue. However, it is true that
sustainable infrastructure. providers and various stakeholders along larger markets, such as Saudi Arabia, may
the digital value chain to assess how rapid face bigger challenges relating to security
How are the Sustainable Development technological changes are impacting, or of the cyberspace and digital systems and
Agenda and digital transformation need to impact, business transformation. end-users. In this regard, platforms such
interlinked, and what may be a great as the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF),
challenge associated with the latter? Besides telecom operators and tech created in Saudi Arabia for the world’s
To answer this, we need to first fully providers, regulatory authorities and digital stakeholders, are playing a highly
understand that digital transformation governments are key players in this active role in bringing about cooperation,
and digitally-powered socio-economic dynamic landscape, striving to recalibrate collaboration, and tangible progress.
development are two pillars on which regulatory and economic frameworks to
multiple plans for the future rest – for align with new technological advancements Earlier in October, policymakers and
example, economic sector diversification, and evolving market realities. This experts at the Global Cybersecurity
increasing productivity, or fulfilling specific recalibration involves addressing critical Forum (GCF) Annual Meeting, held in
ambitions and national plans. and very complex issues, such as cross- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, convened on the
border data transmissions, taxation, cybersecurity front and emphasized the
Digital transformation, however, requires spectrum allocations, and the deployment need for educational systems to focus
predictable and sustainable investments and use of enhanced broadband 5G and more on cybersecurity and for the cyber
and partnerships, fit-for-purpose beyond for digital services, to name a few. workforce to become more inclusive, to
collaborative policies and just-the-right The disruption caused by these overcome one of the greatest digital gaps
regulation, and targeted demand-side developments necessitates a thorough we face: ICT and cybersecurity talent.
approaches. With digital transformation, examination of how policies and
many SDGs can be met, directly: for regulations can be adapted to support Created by Saudi Arabia’s National
example, human capacity-building and growth and innovation while defending the Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), GCF
advancement through education and interests of all stakeholders. focuses on the geostrategic, economic,
better healthcare; responsible production social and behavioral dimensions of
and efficient consumption; controlling To bridge the gaps in understanding among cybersecurity, and is working highly
and reducing carbonisation; food and various stakeholders and to align policy, actively to action cybersecurity practices,
livelihood from agriculture; quality regulatory, and private-sector priorities, to ensure that Cyberspace remains
and sustainability-conscious urban the SAMENA Council plays a pivotal sustainable, and secure, and continues to
living; democratisation and improved role. Its reach extends beyond regional serve as an enabler of socio-economic
participation in and benefit from digitally- boundaries, making it a globally active transformation.
inclusive government services. telecommunications and ICT advocacy

9 OCT-DEC 2024