Riyadh, December 17, 2024 – Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology Haytham Al-Ohali engaged in a series of high-level meetings on Monday with international officials during the 19th Internet Governance Forum (IGF 2024) held in Riyadh. The forum, a key global event for shaping the future of the internet, provided an ideal platform for Al-Ohali to discuss strategic collaborations in the digital economy and explore opportunities for enhancing Saudi Arabia’s technological partnerships with leading nations.
Al-Ohali’s first meeting was with Stefan Schnorr, the State Secretary at the German Ministry for Digital and Transport. The two officials discussed ways to strengthen technical collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Germany, with a particular focus on digital innovation and the implementation of emerging technologies. They emphasized the importance of fostering closer ties between the two countries to further promote digital transformation and boost economic growth through advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).
In a separate discussion, Al-Ohali met with Takuo Imagawa, Vice Minister for International Affairs at the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The conversation centered on enhancing Saudi-Japanese partnerships, with a shared goal of advancing AI, emerging technologies, and digital infrastructure. Both parties highlighted the importance of knowledge exchange and collaboration in building robust digital ecosystems, which will benefit both countries in their pursuit of technological excellence.
In addition to these meetings, Al-Ohali also held discussions with Henri Verdier, the French Ambassador for Digital Affairs. This meeting focused on furthering technical innovation and strengthening the digital economy between Saudi Arabia and France. The collaboration would seek to leverage the strengths of both nations in driving digital advancements and supporting each other’s digital transformation initiatives.
These meetings are a part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a global leader in digital transformation and emerging technologies. The 19th IGF provided a unique opportunity for the Kingdom to engage with key international stakeholders and lay the groundwork for future partnerships that will advance AI, digital infrastructure, and innovation. Through these strategic discussions, Saudi Arabia continues to reinforce its commitment to becoming a major player in the global digital economy, fostering collaboration with leading technological nations and empowering the growth of emerging technologies.
