Geneva: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced its candidacy to retain its membership in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council. The announcement was made during the 2025 ITU Council session held in Geneva, Switzerland, reaffirming the Kingdom's pioneering role in supporting the global telecom and technology sector, according to a press release issued by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) today.
According to Saudi Press Agency, CST Acting Governor Eng. Haytham AlOhali reaffirmed the Kingdom's strong commitment to international cooperation in bridging the digital divide, stressing the importance of accelerating global efforts to connect the unconnected and address the challenges of the digital and AI era. He pointed out that the world currently connects around 200 million people annually, and at this pace, it would take more than 13 years to connect the remaining 2.6 billion. This calls for an innovative approach to speed up connectivity efforts and reduce the timeframe by over 50%.
Eng. AlOhali stated that Saudi Arabia is proud to be among the top nations that have successfully reduced the digital connectivity gap to below 1%. The Kingdom has leveraged technology to create advanced and innovative solutions across sectors such as education, healthcare, energy, and public services.
He affirmed that Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the ITU, introduced the AI Readiness Framework, highlighting the importance of ensuring that artificial intelligence must be inclusive, human-centered, and focused on empowering youth and women.
By innovation and collaboration, AlOhali explained, the solution to accelerate the pace of global connectivity and cut the time needed to close the digital gap by over half is now within reach. This could enable connecting the unconnected within five years or sooner, unlocking opportunities and advancing inclusive social and economic development, particularly in developing nations.
He further highlighted that Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded its digital workforce, increasing the number of professionals from 150,000 in 2018 to more than 380,000 by 2024. Women's participation in the ICT sector grew from 7% to 35%, surpassing both the global and G20 averages. The Kingdom's adoption of a forward-thinking digital regulatory framework has secured it the second spot among G20 nations in the ITU's ICT Regulatory Tracker. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has launched global initiatives to enhance regulatory digital maturity in over 100 countries, emphasizing the role of adaptable, innovation-driven frameworks in enabling inclusive digital transformation.
AlOhali emphasized that the Kingdom's digital accomplishments and innovative initiatives have been driven by the support and guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He affirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to leveraging its resources and expertise to support international and ITU efforts in building a sustainable digital future.
As part of the Kingdom's ongoing collaboration with the ITU, he announced that the Kingdom will host the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) from August 31 to September 3, 2025, in Riyadh, under the theme: 'Regulation for Sustainable Digital Development.' He invited all member states to participate in this significant forum, which highlights the Kingdom's strong relationship with the ITU and reflects its dedication to building regulatory frameworks that foster innovation, investment, and inclusive access.
The ITU Council consists of 48 member states, including Saudi Arabia, out of a total of 194. The council oversees the Union's activities between Plenipotentiary Conferences (PP). Its responsibilities include directing the ITU's tasks, ensuring the implementation of ITU policies and budgets, approving operational and financial plans, and reviewing programs, while also providing recommendations on general policies to develop the sector. This makes the council a pivotal mechanism in ensuring the efficiency and continuity of the ITU's work.