December 16, 2018 |
The first edition of the Arab Digital Economy Conference kicked off in Abu Dhabi today, Sunday, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to launch the joint Arab vision for the digital economy.
Tarek Amer, Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, Atef Helmy, former Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and Richard Kirby, Chairman of the Strategic Review Committee and Senior Advisor for Regional Cooperation in the Field of E-Government, participated in the first session of the conference.
Amer attended as a representative of Egypt to present its vision for transforming to a digital society and to explain the Egyptian experience in implementing a financial inclusion strategy. He explained how Egypt has taken significant steps in these areas, which are an integral part of the comprehensive economic reform process being implemented by Egypt under the current political leadership.
For his part, Dr. Ali Al-Khouri, Advisor to the Council of Arab Economic Unity and Chairman of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, expressed his hope that the launch of the first two-day conference will mark a turning point in leveraging the digital economy to develop lifestyles and improve performance in all fields.
The conference aims to unify the Arab vision to activate and enhance joint cooperation and lay the foundation for revitalizing and reviving economic relations between Arab countries, based on digital knowledge, developing technological and legislative infrastructure, and supporting digital transformation plans and technological development in Arab countries.
The conference will be attended by representatives of Arab countries, as well as leading global experts and specialists in the field of digital economy, along with representatives of international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Commission, and the International Cooperation and Development Organization.
Senior decision-makers and technology experts from around the world will discuss major investments in technology, relevant legislation, and their impact on economic and social development.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, will participate in the opening of the conference. In response to the invitation received from the UAE leadership, and in confirmation of the Arab League’s great interest in supporting digital transformation plans and technological development in Arab countries, this conference aims to mobilize available expertise and capabilities and unleash the potential of various Arab countries to keep pace with the rapid and qualitative changes taking place in the structure of the modern economy at the international level.
The vision aims to support sustainable development and investment in technological projects and infrastructure in the Arab world in the fields of digital transformation, smart city construction, education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and production.
During the conference, the development initiatives and projects emanating from it will be presented for presentation and approval at the Arab Leaders’ Summit scheduled to be held in Tunisia in March 2019.
The first Arab Digital Economy Conference kicked off today, Sunday, in Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The conference aims to launch a common Arab vision for the digital economy as a key factor encouraging increased economic cooperation and inter-Arab trade.
