Kuwaiti Delegation, Led by Minister of Communications and Information, Participates in ITU Plenipotentiary Conference Launch in Doha

Doha, 9 Nov (KUNA) -- A Kuwaiti delegation, led by Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Affairs and Acting Minister of Media and Culture Omar Al-Omar, participated in the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, which opened today, Monday, in the Qatari capital, Doha, and will continue until November 27.

The Kuwaiti delegation, attending the conference which serves as the highest policy-making body of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), includes Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Nasser Al-Hin; Kuwait’s Ambassador to Qatar, Ahmed Al-Sharim; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Communications and Information Technology (PACIT), Dr. Khaled Al-Zamil; and Acting Deputy Minister of Transport, Eng. Meshal Al-Zaid.

In his opening address, Qatari Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mohammed Al-Munaji, emphasized that Qatar’s hosting of the conference reflects its commitment to supporting international cooperation and contributing to shaping the future of the communications and information technology sector, while enhancing opportunities for universal, inclusive, and sustainable digital connectivity for all.

He noted that participating ministers held a meeting on the eve of the conference’s launch, during which they issued the Doha Ministerial Declaration. This declaration conveys a shared message that digital connectivity should provide real opportunities for everyone and contribute to building a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.

Al-Munaji pointed out that the ITU has brought the world’s nations together for over a century and a half around a common goal of enhancing cross-border communication and collaboration. He affirmed that the current conference continues this mission in an era where digital technology is present in all aspects of daily life.

He stressed that the decisions issued by the conference will not be confined to meeting rooms but will directly impact the lives of individuals and communities, including students who lack network access, communities still deprived of telecommunications services, and entrepreneurs awaiting opportunities to access the internet.

He noted that the path forward still requires more effort, given that more than two billion people worldwide remain offline, alongside a large number of users who are still unable to fully benefit from the internet’s potential and advantages.

He underscored that the shared goal is to bridge the digital divide and ensure that connectivity delivers tangible and real benefits to people everywhere, adding that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies poses new challenges that require collective action.

He also highlighted that digital infrastructure has become a fundamental necessity for every individual, as essential services, economies, education, and healthcare depend on it. He affirmed that building secure, resilient, and inclusive digital infrastructure is a shared responsibility that cannot be delayed.

The Qatari Minister expressed his hope that the conference’s deliberations and decisions would enhance international cooperation and build an interconnected digital future that offers broader opportunities for all.

For her part, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin praised Qatar’s experience in digital transformation, affirming that the country serves as a model of what can be achieved through sustained commitment to human-centric digital development.

She stated that 99 percent of Qatar’s population is connected to the internet, thanks to the widespread deployment of fiber-optic networks and advanced mobile telecommunications networks, alongside the state’s support for the digital development journey.

She emphasized that the world is witnessing an exceptional phase of digital progress, driven by the growing reliance on technology across various sectors, economies, and public services, stressing the importance of strengthening international cooperation to ensure a connected, secure, and inclusive digital future. She noted that the conference is being held at a time when the pace of digital transformation is accelerating, fueled by the growing development of artificial intelligence technologies; however, countries are entering this phase from different levels of readiness and capacity, which calls for joint efforts to ensure that everyone benefits from the opportunities offered by technology. The Conference of Plenipotentiaries is the highest policy-making body of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), responsible for setting its strategic direction, approving its plans, and electing its leadership. The 2026 Conference of Plenipotentiaries includes several key milestones, foremost among them the elections to fill senior leadership positions in the ITU, scheduled to begin on November 12, when member states will elect the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and Directors of the Radiocommunication, Telecommunication Standardization, and Telecommunication Development Bureaus. Following the election of senior leadership, the Conference will vote to elect the 12 members of the ITU Radio Regulations Board, which is responsible for implementing and interpreting the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio frequency spectrum. The Conference will also elect 48 countries to membership on the ITU Council, which manages the Union’s affairs and oversees its work during intervals between Conferences of Plenipotentiaries. (End) S S S / S M A