Business & Money | Thursday 23 April, 2015 12:47 am |

ITU Arab Regional Development Forum discusses the role of broadband in spurring sustainable development
Dubai, UAE, April 20, 2015 - Key stakeholders from across the Middle East’s telecoms industry gathered in the Jordanian capital of Amman recently for the International Telecommunication Union’s Arab Regional Development Forum which was held under the theme “Broadband for Sustainable Development”. Organized by the ITU Arab Regional Office, the Forum discussed the five Arab Regional Initiatives approved by the World Telecommunication Development Conference held in Dubai in April 2014.
The five Initiatives focus on the areas of broadband, cyber security, ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) for the environment, smart learning, and ICTs for persons with disabilities.
The high-level Forum provided participants – comprised of ITU member states from the Arab region – with an opportunity to exchange experiences and best practices in the implementation of these initiatives. It also discussed the activities of the ITU-D Study Groups and of the ITU Centers of Excellence.
In his speech, Mr. Brahima Sanou, Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau has stated that : “The Dubai Action Plan sets out a road map for ITU-D’s work and a shared vision to make a tangible difference to people’s lives. Regional Initiatives guide BDT, Member States and Sector Members in implementing specific projects that focus on the priority needs of each region. I call upon all our members and partners to join forces with BDT to implement the Regional Initiatives”
Dr. Ibrahim Nasser Harb, Chairman of SAMENA Council’s Regulatory Working Group and Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer at Orange Jordan, has highlighted that: “In providing an interactive framework for regional stakeholders to outline a set of shared goals and work collectively towards their achievement, the Arab Regional Development Forum serves as a catalyst for not only the development of the Middle East’s telecommunications sector but in bridging the digital divide existing in our societies.”

“Broadband communications have a key role to play in building a safer and more connected world, and interactive forums such as these help set forth credible implementation plans that can allow countries in the Arab world to more fully realize the potential of ICT as an enabler of socio-economic growth and stability,” he added.
ITU’s Regional Development Forums provide an opportunity for high-level dialogue between the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) and decision-makers of ITU member states and sector members. They serve as a platform for assessing strategic orientations that may have an impact on BDT's regional work plan in between world telecommunication development conferences.
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About SAMENA
SAMENA Telecommunications Council is South Asia - Middle East - North Africa (SAMENA) region’s sole operator-driven industry association that represents telecommunications service providers from around the region, and beyond. SAMENA is a not-for-profit organization, with membership comprising more than 90 leading regional and international organizations. Headquartered in the UAE, SAMENA was founded in 2006, chaired by Dr. Nasser Marafih and led by Mr. Bocar A. BA. SAMENA collaborates with leading non-profit international organizations, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Telecom Network Operators’ Association. With an expanding member portfolio, the Council is quickly securing strong footing in the region. SAMENA's current network consists of 25 countries from South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. However, organizations from countries of Asia Pacific, Europe and North America also form part of the SAMENA membership.