Ooredoo Group spearheaded the third assembly of the MENA Chapter of the International Institute of Communications (IIC), recently convened in Manama, Bahrain, graciously hosted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).
Under the stewardship of Fraser Graham, Director of Public Affairs at Ooredoo Group, the gathering united luminaries from the industry, policymakers, and regulatory bodies to deliberate on pivotal issues sculpting the digital terrain in the MENA region.
Central to the discussions were the imperative to establish a regulatory architecture for Artificial Intelligence (AI), scrutinize the ramifications of the NIS2 Directive on Cybersecurity, and forge a sturdy framework for governing Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
Fraser Graham, Director of Public Affairs at Ooredoo Group, remarked, “The recent conclave in Bahrain underscores the collective resolve of industry stalwarts and regulators to navigate the dynamic digital milieu in the MENA region. Through fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, we stand poised to confront regulatory hurdles and unleash the transformative power of nascent technologies like IoT.”
A focal point of the assembly was the unveiling and deliberation of the Whitepaper titled “Proposals to Unlock the Potential of IoT,” crafted by the Digital Economy and Regulatory Modernisation (DERM) Committee of the IIC MENA Chapter. Helmed by Francesco Paolo Di Gregorio, Director Advocacy & Policy at Ooredoo Qatar, the Whitepaper endeavors to tackle the global and regional challenges posed by IoT technologies, with a keen eye on regulatory best practices and recommendations for future endeavors.
In acknowledging the significance of the Whitepaper, Lynn Robinson, Director General of IIC, remarked, “IoT holds the promise of revolutionizing industries and societies, yet unlocking its full potential necessitates a concerted effort. The Whitepaper proffers invaluable insights and recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders, paving the way for a more inclusive and secure digital ecosystem.”
The IIC MENA Chapter serves as a crucible for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and regulators to collaborate on ventures aimed at propelling the digital domain forward, fostering innovation, and augmenting consumer welfare. Previous gatherings of the MENA Chapter convened in Doha and Casablanca in 2023, a testament to the dedication of regional luminaries towards effecting positive change in the ICT arena.
