Doha: The High-Level Digital and Artificial Intelligence Policy Leaders Forum for the Arab States region opened in Doha on Tuesday at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, with the participation of HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, alongside officials, experts, government and private-sector representatives, and academics.
According to Qatar News Agency, President of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Dr. Abdulwahab El Affandi expressed hope that the two-day forum would successfully bridge knowledge and practice, stressing the need for balanced governance frameworks that support both regulation and innovation, as well as stronger cooperation and coordination.
Technical Representative and Head of the UN Development Program Office in Qatar, Piplove Choudhary, emphasized that digital transformation has the greatest impact when connectivity, public digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies operate within an inclusive policy environment. He noted that digital policy frameworks provide countries with a practical tool to identify gaps and set priorities based on their national contexts, adding that the forum represents the next step in translating regional frameworks into actionable measures.
Over two days, the forum will explore ways to turn digital policies from broad principles into practical national policies, focusing on AI governance, digital infrastructure, data, connectivity, and digital inclusion. It will also examine the development of national digital policy plans tailored to the needs of Arab countries. Participants stressed that digital transformation is no longer a standalone technical issue but a key driver of economic development and growth.
Participants highlighted the need for stronger cooperation among governments, the private sector, and international institutions to turn policy frameworks into tangible outcomes while promoting innovation, investment, and trust in emerging technologies. They also emphasized the importance of addressing differences in digital maturity across Arab countries and translating principles into applicable legislation and policies, from infrastructure development to smart systems and artificial intelligence.
Chief Legal, Regulatory, and Corporate Governance Officer at Ooredoo Group, Hilal Mohammed Al Khulaifi, stressed the importance of accelerating the growth of digital economies. He noted that the digital economy's contribution to GDP across the Arab region ranges between 2% and 12%, while approaching 10% in the GCC countries. Al Khulaifi expressed hope that the partnership between Ooredoo Group and the United Nations Development Program would enter a new phase focused on strengthening dialogue and knowledge-sharing among countries in the region.
During the high-level ministerial session, participants highlighted the need for more effective Arab cooperation. HE Lebanon's Minister of State for Administrative Reform, Fadi Makki, said national strategies should not become competing tracks but rather priorities that create greater opportunities for the private sector. He called for common standards and operating models in areas requiring regional cooperation, including cybersecurity, interoperability, and data exchange.
HE Minister of Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence in Libya's Government of National Unity, Ziad Al Hajjaji, said a common framework could support national policies and facilitate knowledge-sharing. He called for stronger cooperation in strategy development and greater use of the experience accumulated by GCC countries. Head of the Advisory Commission at the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office, Youssef Al Khalaf, noted that several countries have ongoing national efforts, but these remain fragmented in many cases.
Head of the Digital Transformation and AI Team at the UN Development Program, Danny Wazen, said the forum's importance lies in providing a platform to move beyond discussions on digital transformation toward policies capable of turning technology into a genuine driver of economic and social development.
