The Eighth RIPE NCC Government Roundtable for Arab Countries in the Middle East Region

Amman, Jordan – 20 November 2024 – The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) of Jordan, in collaboration with the RIPE NCC, the Regional Internet Registry for Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia, hosted the 8th edition of the RIPE NCC Government Roundtable for Arab Countries in the Middle East Region. Held on 19 November at the Four Seasons Hotel in Amman, the event focused on Internet infrastructure and public policy for the Internet in Arab countries. High-level government delegations, including ministers, heads, and directors of regulatory authorities from seven Arab countries, participated.

This year’s roundtable, themed “Strengthening Internet Infrastructure and Governance for a Resilient Digital Future in Arab States,” addressed the challenges and opportunities in building a secure and sustainable Internet in the region. It built on discussions from last year’s roundtable in Dubai, emphasising collaboration and partnerships in Internet infrastructure development and governance.

The opening session featured welcoming remarks from Eng. Bassam Al-Sarhan, CEO of TRC Jordan; Hans Petter Holen, Managing Director of the RIPE NCC; Dr Khalid Wali, Minister Plenipotentiary and Director of ICT Development at the Arab League; Dr Waed Abdullah Batheeb, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Yemen; and senior representatives from Egypt, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE.

In his opening speech, Eng. Bassam Al-Sarhan highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to support the region’s digital economies. He stated, “Creating an inclusive and cooperative environment is crucial to realising the promises of the Internet. The 8th Arab Government Roundtable serves as a vital platform for exchanging ideas and enhancing Internet infrastructure in the Arab region. Jordan has emerged as a leader in adopting IPv6, outperforming IPv4 and placing the Kingdom among the top global performers in Internet speeds. Our collaboration with the RIPE NCC significantly contributes to Internet development and security and fosters economic growth through advanced technologies like IPv6 and 5G.”

Mr Hans Petter Holen praised the region’s progress in Internet infrastructure development. “In Amman, we continue the dialogue built on past discussions, focusing on strengthening the resilience and security of the Internet in the Arab region. This year has seen notable advancements in IPv6 adoption and RPKI. These developments enhance connectivity, stimulate economic growth and encourage innovation. The RIPE NCC remains committed to supporting members, governments, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders through capacity building, technical assistance and providing the necessary tools to ensure robust and secure digital infrastructure,” he said.

Dr Khalid Wali emphasised the digital divide among Arab countries and the need for strong infrastructure, stating, “Digital transformation in Arab countries requires robust infrastructure, a significant challenge for countries with weak resources and infrastructure gaps. The Arab League collaborates with the RIPE NCC to support Arab countries in developing their digital infrastructure and implementing the Arab Digital Agenda. This partnership has led to key successes, especially in promoting IPv6 adoption and network security. Our ongoing initiatives include expanding Internet measurement tools to improve network stability and security across the region.”

Dr Waed Abdullah Bathib highlighted Yemen’s strides in the digital sector despite ongoing conflicts. He noted Yemen’s achievement as the first Arab country to launch Starlink satellite Internet services, expressing hopes for peace and sustainable digital development. “The rapid transformation of the ICT sector demands greater effort and collaboration to achieve success across Arab nations,” he said.

Eng Christine Arida, representing Egypt’s National Telecom Regulatory Authority, showcased Egypt’s efforts in infrastructure development, including the launch of 5G services as part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. She urged avoiding duplication of Internet governance processes, called for participation in global forums like the upcoming IGF in Riyadh and recommended strengthening partnerships to address cybersecurity challenges. She invited members to hold the ninth roundtable in Egypt, ensuring representation from Arab countries across the Middle East and Africa.

Eng Abdulrahman Al-Marzouqi, Acting Director General of the UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, emphasised the Internet’s role in economic development. He highlighted the UAE’s leadership in ICT for over 25 years and stressed the importance of AI and blockchain technologies for economic competitiveness. He reiterated the UAE’s readiness to collaborate with Arab countries to explore promising investment opportunities.

Mr Omar Al-Qatabi, Vice President of Telecommunications Regulation at TRA Oman, presented Oman’s digital initiatives, including the National Digital Economy Program. He noted Oman’s collaboration with the RIPE NCC on IPv6 deployment and upcoming events like MENOG 24. “International collaboration is fundamental to progress. TRA Oman is open to partnerships to exchange knowledge and best practices,” he said.

Bahrain’s representative, Eng Mohammed Abdullah Al-Naimi, Director of Technology and Network Security, Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA), stressed the importance of sustainable digital and economic practices. He applauded Jordan for hosting the event and highlighted the need for public-private cooperation to enhance digital security and innovation, fostering equitable Internet access.

Mr Piotr Strzyżewski, member of the RIPE NCC’s executive board, concluded the session by emphasising the opportunities and challenges in the Arab region’s digital transformation. He called for partnerships between governments, regulatory bodies, the private sector and the technical community to ensure a sustainable Internet ecosystem.

During the first session, RIPE NCC experts Chafic Chaya and Hisham Ibrahim discussed progress since the last roundtable, emphasising IPv6 adoption, routing security and initiatives supporting policymakers in Arab countries. Eng. Jad El-Cham presented regional data and trends, highlighting IPv6 and RPKI deployment progress and interconnection challenges and advancements.

The second session explored Internet governance developments, including WSIS+20, the GDC, NETmundial+10 and the IGF. Discussions focused on Arab countries’ challenges for participation in global Internet governance processes and the need for integrated and agile policies to foster a secure and sustainable digital environment.

This roundtable marks a significant step toward sustained collaboration between Arab governments, regulatory authorities and the RIPE NCC, paving the way for a more connected and secure Internet future in the region.

You can also view this press release in Arabic.

ENDS

About the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC):

TRC Jordan is the independent authority regulating telecommunications, IT, and postal services in Jordan. Established in 1995, TRC promotes high-quality services, fair competition, and innovation to enhance Jordan’s position as a regional ICT hub. https://trc.gov.jo/

About the RIPE NCC:

The RIPE NCC is an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation that supports the Internet's infrastructure through technical coordination in Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. The most prominent activity of the RIPE NCC is to act as the regional Internet registry (RIR), providing global Internet resources and related services (IPv4, IPv6 and AS Numbers) to members in the RIPE NCC service region. The RIPE NCC operates from its main office in Amsterdam and its regional office in Dubai. www.ripe.net