Doha: Under Qatar’s presidency, Doha hosted the 8th meeting of the Ministerial Committee for e-Government and the 28th meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Post and Telecommunications of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The meetings were attended by the Ministers of Communications, Information Technology, and Postal Services from the GCC, along with GCC Secretary-General H E Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
In his opening address, Qatar’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H E Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, emphasized the importance of cooperation between GCC countries in communications and IT. He noted the significant role these sectors play in enhancing national economies and boosting competitiveness on both regional and international levels.
“Our collaboration today reflects the strong bonds between our nations and our shared commitment to integrating and unifying efforts in the postal and communications sectors, which are crucial for economic development,” Al Mannai stated. He expressed confidence that the meetings would strengthen GCC cooperation, contributing to the goal of building a secure, prosperous digital society. He added that the advancements made so far are only the beginning of many more achievements, with plans to develop a robust technology sector that creates jobs and encourages investment through innovative business models.
GCC Secretary-General H E Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi praised the discussions, which he said will shape the future of digital cooperation among member states. He highlighted the launch of the GCC e-Government Guiding Strategy (2024-2030) and the unified digital access framework for the GCC, as well as considerations for the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).
Albudaiwi also recognized the committee’s efforts in achieving digital transformation within the government sector, aiming to elevate the region’s standing in global digital governance rankings. He pointed out the benefits of effective digital governance, including increased productivity, efficiency, and streamlined services.
Additionally, the Ministerial Committee for Post and Telecommunications discussed key areas of progress, such as steps toward space cooperation, reducing roaming charges among GCC countries, developing a comprehensive telecommunications sector plan, and launching the Gulf research award on technology foresight and the digital economy.
The meetings covered several topics, including the launch of the e-Government Strategic Framework 2024-2030, and reviewed the minutes of various working groups, such as the Joint Electronic Services Working Group, the AI and Emerging Technologies Working Group, and the Digital Trust Services Working Group.
These discussions mark a significant step forward in advancing digital transformation and strengthening cooperation across the GCC in the fields of communications, postal services, and information technology.
