Latest news with #WSIS+20
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
MCIT participates in WSIS+20 Forum 2025
QNA Geneva Reaffirming Qatar's steadfast commitment to global digital cooperation and its active contribution to shaping the digital future, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) participated in the High-Level Events of the World Summit on the Information Society +20 (WSIS+20) Forum 2025, held from July 7 to 12. The sessions addressed key themes, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the advancement of digital government services. The participation included the attendance of minister's advisor, and Artificial Intelligence Committee Chairman, Hassan Jassim Al Sayed, at the official opening of the WSIS+20 Forum. Al Sayed delivered an intervention during the Ministerial Roundtable, in which he presented Qatar's national vision for advancing its digital priorities. He highlighted Qatar's ongoing efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure, design inclusive and accessible government services, and advance key national AI initiatives, such as the development of the Arabic AI project Fanar, the issuance of Principles and Guidelines for Ethical Use and Development of Artificial Intelligence, and the integration of generative AI technologies in government operations in partnership with leading global tech firms. MCIT concluded its participation with the session titled 'Leaders TalkX: Building inclusive and knowledge-driven digital societies', which explored ways to promote digital inclusion and expand equitable access to information and knowledge in the digital age. The session also emphasized the importance of developing robust digital infrastructure and forward-looking policies that foster knowledge production and contribute to building more inclusive and sustainable digital societies. Through this participation, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Qatar's position on the global digital stage, fostering knowledge exchange, and building strategic partnerships that support digital innovation, sustainable technology solutions, and the country's leadership in the ICT sector at the international level.
Daily Tribune
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
DCO Launches New Tool to Promote Ethical Use of AI
The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) has launched a new policy tool called the DCO AI Ethics Evaluator, designed to help governments, companies, and developers use artificial intelligence (AI) in a more ethical and responsible way. The launch took place during the AI for Good Summit 2025 and WSIS+20 in Geneva, with representatives from across the globe attending. The DCO, which includes 16 member countries, says the tool will help identify and manage risks in AI systems—especially those related to human rights, privacy, fairness, and transparency. The tool offers users a visual report with practical suggestions and is based on a self-assessment across six key risk areas. Speaking at the launch, Omar Saud Al-Omar, Kuwait's Minister of State for Communication Affairs and current Chair of the DCO Council, said the tool would guide developers and users in making AI technologies safer and more aligned with ethical standards. He called it 'a real step forward' in turning DCO's ethical principles into action. Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO, stressed that ethical AI is essential: 'AI without ethics isn't progress—it's a danger to our dignity and trust. This tool isn't just for governments; it's for everyone involved in building the digital world.' She added that the Evaluator tackles major concerns such as algorithmic bias, data misuse, and accountability gaps, giving developers and regulators a way to make sure their AI systems are fair and responsible. Alaa Abdulaal, DCO's Chief of Digital Economy Intelligence, described the tool as a 'compass' that helps countries and tech teams stay focused on human-centered AI development. The launch event brought together ministers, tech leaders, and global experts, many of whom praised the initiative and expressed interest in using the tool in their own countries. The DCO hopes this new tool will encourage greater international cooperation to ensure AI serves people first—helping societies grow in a fair, inclusive, and sustainable way.
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia shines at WSIS+20 with telecom achievements and global recognition
GENEVA (Switzerland): Malaysia's participation in the World Summit on the Information Society +20 (WSIS+20) High-Level Event, held here from July 7 to 11, highlighted the country's achievements in advancing the telecommunications sector. This was evidenced by the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI)'s WSIS Prizes 2025 victory, through the NADI Pulau Banggi initiative, recognised for providing digital literacy, skills training and economic opportunities to one of Malaysia's most remote island communities. NADI, led by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), was also declared champion in the category C4: Capacity Building, while another MCMC project in collaboration with Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), Stingray II Project at Pulau Ketam, won the C2: Information and Communication Infrastructure category. Malaysia was also named champion in category C10: ICT Applications – Benefits in All Aspects of Life – E-health, and C10: Ethical Dimensions of the Information Society. These wins were achieved through the MyHeart: AI-Powered Predictive System for Cardiovascular Health, developed by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and University of Malaya (UM); and the Penang Stop Violence application developed by the Penang Women's Development Corporation (PWDC) in collaboration with the Penang state government. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said NADI's success was highly significant, as it was among only 18 WSIS Prizes 2025 winners out of 970 projects nominated worldwide. 'This is truly a remarkable achievement,' he told reporters at WSIS+20 here Thursday. Fahmi said Malaysia's participation at WSIS+20 also gave the country the opportunity to share its views on current developments in the telecommunications sector, artificial intelligence (AI), and other related issues. 'We were also able to listen to the perspectives, recommendations and challenges faced by other countries, as well as the efforts of platforms such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to establish global policies that enable member states to find solutions suited to their needs,' he said. He said the issues raised by participating delegations included the capacity to build infrastructure that supported AI, ethical and moral guidelines in AI use, and the divide between the 'Global North' (developed nations) and 'Global South' (developing and third world countries). 'The foundation of AI is robust telecommunications infrastructure, with the ability to compute at high volumes. 'This can only happen when internet connectivity is exceptionally good and fast... we hope Malaysia's experience in implementing infrastructure projects can be shared with countries that have yet to roll out 5G,' he said. Malaysia's willingness to share its experience with ITU member states is also in line with its bid to be re-elected as an ITU Council Member at the upcoming election in November next year. Fahmi said Malaysia's political stability and policy clarity were seen by ITU members as being among the factors that enabled the country to play a bigger role on the global stage. 'Malaysia's voice is important because we represent a part of the Global South, and our leadership in ASEAN as Chair for 2025 places us in a prominent position in the eyes of the international community,' he said. Fahmi said the bid, which had been approved by the Cabinet, would not only secure Malaysia a place to speak on global platforms but also provide new learning opportunities and the chance to discuss policy matters concerning emerging technologies such as AI. Fahmi, who concluded his visit here today in conjunction with Malaysia's participation at WSIS+20, also held 10 bilateral meetings during the summit. Among others, he met with Algeria's Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki; Ghana's Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Samuel Nartey George; Somalia's Minister of Communications and Technology Mohamed Adam Moalim; Kuwait's Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar; and his counterpart from the United Kingdom, Maggie Jones. - Bernama
Al Etihad
10-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
GWU, International Telecommunication Union to advance women's digital empowerment
10 July 2025 13:35 ABU DHABI (WAM) The General Women's Union (GWU) participated in the high-level meeting of the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), held in Geneva on Wednesday as part of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) union's participation aligns with the UAE's ongoing efforts to strengthen international partnerships in the field of women's digital part of the forum, a joint declaration was signed between the GWU and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in the presence of Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the GWU, and Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the declaration aims to enhance collaboration in empowering women and girls with digital skills and fostering technological partnership stems from the mutual commitment of both parties to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 on achieving gender equality. It seeks to promote women's participation in the digital economy through various areas of cooperation, including: building digital capacity for women and girls, encouraging girls to pursue STEM education, and sharing best regional and international Suwaidi emphasised that this international cooperation reflects the UAE's wise leadership directives and the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development stated that this agreement provides a valuable platform for collaboration with one of the leading UN organisations, supporting the expansion of programmes and initiatives aimed at strengthening the digital capabilities of women and added, 'We at the General Women's Union take pride in being an active partner in building an inclusive and secure digital environment, one that enables women to play a central role in social and economic development through close cooperation with our international partners.'In turn, ITU Secretary-General said, 'The declaration with the General Women's Union reflects our shared commitment for women and girls in the digital space, particularly those living in remote and underserved communities, so they can gain the skills, confidence and mentorship critical for building future careers.'On her part, Eng. Ghalya Ali Al Mannaee, Chairwoman of Strategic Affairs and Development at the GWU, noted that the signing of this agreement reflects the GWU's dedication to leveraging international partnerships to support women in the digital transformation journey both locally and added, 'We believe that digital empowerment is essential in the era of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. Through this partnership, we will develop impactful initiatives to enhance the digital skills of women and girls, opening new horizons for them in entrepreneurship, scientific research, and decision-making in the digital sphere.' The signing of this agreement highlights the GWU's commitment to expanding its contributions to pioneering global initiatives, in line with its pivotal role in supporting the UAE's strategy for digital women's empowerment and its efforts to build an inclusive and sustainable digital society that reinforces the role of women.
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Fahmi: Big tech not bigger than the law
GENEVA (Switzerland): Big technology companies (big tech) are not bigger than the law of any country, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said every sovereign nation had laws that served many purposes and needed to be adhered to, even by big tech. "There are regulations that have been put in place for safety, security and big tech must listen to our laws," he said during a panel session at the World Summit on the Information Society+20 High-Level Event (WSIS+20) here on Wednesday. Fahmi said, bearing this in mind, Malaysia had taken the lead in developing the Guidelines for Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for Asean. "These guidelines will help to serve, perhaps, as a beacon in the dark for Asean nations in order to travel safely to where we need to go, respecting our respective sovereignties, but also the principle of Asean centrality. In that way, we hope that we will have a bigger voice, a stronger voice," he said. Malaysia is currently taking a leading role in the development of the guidelines envisioned as a non-binding regional reference that provides common principles, best practices and practical recommendations for governments, platforms and users to address online safety and promote cyber wellness across member states.
