Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi Arabia officially announced its candidacy to retain its membership on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council during the Council session held in Geneva, Switzerland.

This announcement reinforces the Kingdom’s pioneering role in supporting the global telecom and technology center, the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) stated in a recent press release.

During his speech, Haytham AlOhali, the Acting Governor of the CST, emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to international cooperation in bridging the digital divide, highlighting the importance of accelerating global efforts to connect the unconnected and address the challenges of the digital and AI era.

He noted that Saudi Arabia is among the top nations that successfully reduced the digital connectivity gap to below 1%, leveraging technology to create advanced and innovative solutions across sectors such as education, healthcare, energy, and public services.

“By innovation and collaboration, we now have the solution to accelerate the pace of global connectivity and cut the time needed to close the digital gap by over half. This could enable us to connect the unconnected within five years or even sooner, it’s not just about saving time, but about unlocking opportunities and advancing inclusive social and economic development, particularly in developing nations,” AlOhali said.

As part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing collaboration with the ITU, the Kingdom will host the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) from 31 August 31 to 3 September in Riyadh, under the theme: “Regulation for Sustainable Digital Development."

AlOhali 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 193 in total. It 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.