UAE, September 20, 2016 - The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced that the UAE will be hosting the 20th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Communication & Information to be held at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi on September 27 and 28. The meeting will be attended by top-level telecommunications and information ministers from various Arab countries.

Executive officers of the council will have a preliminary meeting before the official ministers’ meeting begins on September 28, which will be graced by individual speeches. The UAE will lead the opening of the speeches focusing on the country’s next steps to further develop the sector. It will be followed by a speech by the General Secretariat of the Arab League to provide updates on previous and current works of the Council, including summit assignments. The updates will be delivered by the Council’s chief executive detailing the preparations for the Council’s meeting and the outcomes of the two previous sessions held by the Council’s executive officers. The agenda will highlight various ICT concerns, including the joint Arab initiatives. The meeting will also conduct an election for the next session’s executive members. 

H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General, TRA, said: 'We are honoured that the UAE was chosen to host this ministerial meeting and we highly commend the role of the Arab League in coordinating the efforts of all member countries. These meetings are very important in catalyzing the joint Arab efforts to formulate a development plan for the region’s ICT sector, considering its role as one of the strategic enablers of sustainable development. We realized that achieving our visions in this rapidly-changing sector will get quicker results through such meetings where there is an exchange of experiences between Arab countries. This will help us achieve a comprehensive strategy that will enable member countries to create a balanced development for this sector.'

'The UAE has taken huge steps for the ICT sector whether in terms of improving legislations and regulating the business or to allow the use of the most advanced technologies in the world. Such efforts aim to serve the strategic goals of the country’s wise leadership and vision to provide a good life for its citizens. We have launched various initiatives within Arab region that empowers our Nationals and human resources to gain skills and experiences. We have also built infrastructures to establish a level playing field in the sector – economically, socially and culturally.'

The UAE’s hosting of this meeting highlights the country’s leading role on the global ICT map and the TRA’s central role in delivering the country’s aspirations. Hosting the meeting also places the UAE’s contribution in meeting the goals of such conferences and improving the sector to become technologically advanced on par with developed countries. 

Egypt has headed the 19th session, while Saudi Arabia is heading the executive committee for Council of Arab Ministers of Communication & Information.