A two-day forum held in Doha has focused on developing practical national digital policy frameworks for Arab countries, aiming to translate broad regional principles into actionable strategies. The discussions centered on key areas including artificial intelligence (AI) governance, digital infrastructure, data management, connectivity, and digital inclusion.
Participants highlighted the increasing importance of digital transformation as a major driver of economic growth, extending beyond technical concerns to shape national development agendas. Emphasis was placed on enhanced cooperation among governments, the private sector, and international bodies to foster investment and build trust in emerging technologies. Delegates also acknowledged significant disparities in digital maturity across Arab states, underscoring the urgency of adapting high-level principles into effective legislation that addresses infrastructure, smart systems, and AI governance.
Hilal Mohammed al-Khulaifi, Chief Legal, Regulatory and Corporate Governance Officer at Ooredoo Group, stressed the vital role of accelerating digital economies. He noted that the digital economy contributes between 2% and 12% of GDP across the Arab region, with figures approaching 10% in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Al-Khulaifi expressed optimism about advancing Ooredoo’s partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aiming for enhanced dialogue and a shared framework that respects the varying readiness and contexts of individual nations.
A ministerial session underscored the need for improved Arab collaboration on digital policies. Lebanon’s Minister of State for Administrative Reform, Fadi Makki, advocated for national strategies that complement, rather than compete with, each other, emphasizing the adoption of common standards in cybersecurity, interoperability, and data exchange. Libya’s Minister of Digital Economy and AI, Ziad al-Hajjaji, called for increased knowledge-sharing and encouraged learning from the experiences of GCC countries. Meanwhile, Iraq’s Youssef al-Khalaf urged Arab states to proactively shape the future of AI, not simply react to it, highlighting investment in data centers as an essential step forward.
Danny Wazen from the UNDP remarked that the forum’s significance lies in moving beyond mere discussion to implementing policies that leverage technology as a genuine catalyst for economic growth across the Arab region. The event represents a concerted effort to bridge the digital divide and create tailored national plans that foster sustainable digital development.