RIPE NCC and CITRA successfully holds IPv6 capacity-building workshop in Kuwait

Arabic Version (PDF)

April 24, 2019 - As part of its capacity building initiatives in the Middle East region, Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC), in collaboration with Kuwait’s Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), successfully conducted a three-day training session in Kuwait on Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) at the Radisson Blu Hotel. The session was attended by some of Kuwait’s top Internet service providers (ISPs), telecom operators, and other relevant organizations.

During the three-day event, experts from RIPE NCC held three courses for local, regional, and international participants in Kuwait. The ‘Basic IPv6 Training Course’ focuses on planning IPv6 deployment, while the ‘IPv6 Security Training Course’ provides an overview of the most relevant IPv6 security topics. The third course is the ‘Measurements and Tools Training Course,’ which is a hands-on introductory course to RIPEstat and RIPE Atlas.

Fahad Sulaiman Al Fahd, Chief of Telecommunications Sector at CITRA said: “Telecommunications and technology has become increasingly important, especially in the drive towards economic growth and in light of the rapid digital transformation efforts, both locally and internationally. Building capacity is essential for technological advancements, which reinforces the pivotal role of these training sessions under the umbrella of RIPE NCC in cooperation with the authority. The move also reflects our continuing support for the Kuwaiti Government’s digital transformation efforts across various industries. We are pleased with the strategic partnership with RIPE NCC and we look forward to further advancing local skills and talent in line with the changing trends across all levels.”

Al-Fahd explained that the rapid growth in technology and digital services such as the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to an increase in the demand for Internet services, which has helped in achieving social and economic development on a global scale. Through the exchange of experiences and support of network operators through workshops, conferences and meetings, the CITRA, in cooperation with RIPE NCC, contributes to the sustainable development and economic growth of Kuwait and the region.

The event took place against a backdrop of rising IPv6 deployment worldwide. A recent Google industry report shows that more than 25 per cent of all Internet-connected networks advertise IPv6 connectivity around the globe.

Chris Buckridge, External Relations Manager at the RIPE NCC said: “IPv6 provides much-needed capacity to support the rising demand for connectivity and the massive quantities of data that we are churning out. We have been keen towards launching and implementing a series of specific trainings, capacity building and training initiatives that are in line with our aspirations to promote the widespread adoption and deployment of IPv6 in Kuwait and the rest of the Middle East region, serving the overall development process. We are honored to cooperate and coordinate with the CITRA in order to engage all stakeholders in capacity building as Kuwait steps forward on the path of digital transformation.”

RIPE NCC continues to play an active role in the move to promote sustainable development and economic growth, particularly through its integrated services and initiatives that encourages the exchange of experiences with network operators to help them cope with rapid transformation and meet the needs of the future via a series of interactive and training workshops, conferences, meetings and meetings.