Riyadh, October 09, 2023, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, stressed the importance of advancing governance through innovative methods and constructive dialogues among multiple stakeholders. He noted that such measures could lead to international consensus on issues related to the digital economy and Internet governance, helping to maximize opportunities while mitigating challenges posed by modern technologies.
During his inaugural address at the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Kyoto, Japan, Al-Swaha underscored the support of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for the digital economy's growth in Saudi Arabia. He cited the Kingdom's launch of the region's largest business accelerator for artificial intelligence, an experimental environment for Generative Artificial Intelligence that has attracted companies from over 50 countries to address critical AI challenges. Al-Swaha emphasized that amid the need for an innovative and comprehensive approach to Internet governance worldwide, Saudi Arabia's SAR600 million investment is empowering all facets of the digital economy within the Kingdom.
Additionally, Al-Swaha highlighted the substantial disparities and fragmentation present in the global economy, social issues, and environmental concerns. He noted that this imbalance carries an estimated cost of approximately 7% of the global economy, equivalent to the combined size of the economies of five G20 countries, totaling over $7 trillion. Moreover, this disparity results in the loss of 100 million jobs worldwide. Notably, more than 2.6 billion people remain unconnected to the digital world, depriving them of essential digital services, including education and healthcare.
In response to these challenges, Al-Swaha emphasized Saudi Arabia's partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and their innovative approach. Through the utilization of non-terrestrial network systems linked to High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) terrestrial networks, their goal is to bridge the digital divide in a more cost-effective manner.
The IGF Forum, hosted by the United Nations, serves as a significant annual technical event. It offers a platform for member states, agencies, experts, and international specialists to exchange knowledge, experiences, success stories, and best practices related to Internet governance.
