Mashael Ali Al Hammadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Information Technology Affairs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, speaking at a session during WSIS Forum 2023 in Geneva.
Doha: The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), participated in the World Summit on the Information Society Forum 2023 (WSIS), a global event that brings together leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organisations to discuss promoting the use of information and communication technologies for economic and social development.
Qatar’s delegation, consisting of various MCIT departments attended the forum and participated in several workshops held on the sidelines of the WSIS forum.
Mashael Ali Al Hammadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Information Technology Affairs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the accompanying delegation attended a high-level dialogue session on “Inclusiveness – Access to Information and Knowledge for All - Bridging Digital Divides”.
Al Hammadi emphasised the importance of achieving social and economic integration in all countries by activating the approach of digital inclusion in a way that ensures access for all individuals and communities, including those most deprived of using information and communication technologies to achieve their goals.
Al Hammadi said: “Since 2014, Qatar has intensified efforts to achieve digital inclusion for all citizens and residents in the country, by developing and activating a digital inclusion strategy reaching out to all sectors of society. The strategy identified categories of communities at risk of digital exclusion, and individuals in the community were provided with a set of basic skills to enable them to use information and communication technologies, increase awareness of social media as a channel for promoting small businesses, and improve their ability to access services online.”
The MCIT representatives also attended the opening ceremony of the WSIS Forum, which focused on promoting sustainable use of information and communication technology, digital inclusiveness, access to information and the internet all around the world, enhancing social and economic progress, and contributing to achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals and improving the quality of life.
In a related context, Mashael Al Hammadi participated in the ministerial roundtable meeting that was held on the sidelines of the forum, which was attended by experts, ministers, and specialists in the ICT sector. The meeting discussed the possibility of achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals optimally. In this regard, Al Hammadi said QNV 2030 is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals.
