Qatar is advancing its low-carbon initiatives, aligning with the Qatar National Vision 2030, by hosting the CASI Sustainability Forum. The forum emphasized financial strategies essential for transitioning to sustainable energy, highlighting Qatar’s significant investments like the Al Kharsaah solar project and carbon capture technologies.
In response to the crisis in Lebanon, Orange and Vodafone are offering free calls to Lebanon for their users in Egypt. The initiative aims to support communications during the ongoing conflict, which has seen significant casualties and disruptions, including flight suspensions by EgyptAir.
Dell Technologies, Aramco, and NITA have partnered to launch the ITXcelerate program, offering advanced training and certifications to Saudi graduates in IT fields. This initiative aims to build a skilled technology workforce, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a tech hub.
Oman’s MTCIT has issued a comprehensive set of cybersecurity guidelines to enhance information security across government entities. These guidelines cover everything from basic security controls to social media security, aiming to standardize practices and protect valuable information assets against emerging cyber threats.
Telecommunications subscriptions in the UAE rose to 27.09 million by March’s end, with mobile subscriptions at 78.1%, active mobile users at 21.15 million, and broadband internet and fixed-line services also seeing significant growth.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and APNIC held cybersecurity workshops in Lahore and Islamabad, focusing on “Incident Response and CERT.” Led by Adli Wahid from APNIC, the sessions included theoretical and practical training. The event concluded with a certificate ceremony, emphasizing the commitment to enhancing Pakistan’s cybersecurity capabilities.
Veon subsidiary Banglalink has agreed to sell around a third of its tower portfolio in Bangladesh to Summit Towers for $100 million. This strategic move, involving the transfer of over 2,000 towers, aligns with Veon’s shift towards a digital operator model and will help Banglalink focus on digital services expansion.
GKT eSIM introduced its Digital Kiosk Display at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, designed for easy eSIM purchases in hotels, resorts, and airports. The company also announced special offers for UEFA Euro Cup 2024 and France Olympics 2024, providing unlimited data plans for travelers.
IBM is releasing its AI models as open-source software and helping Saudi Arabia train an Arabic AI system. The Granite models, designed for faster code completion, are customizable, and IBM’s Watsonx tool ensures smooth operation in data centers.
Mining Grid is hosting its inaugural blockchain event in Dubai on September 28, aiming to enhance the crypto and blockchain ecosystem in the Middle East. The event will feature discussions on digital currencies, DeFi, and the region’s role in global blockchain advancements.
