On November 4, 2026, Tunisian Minister of Communication Technologies Sufyan Al-Hamisi inaugurated the sixth session of the Technology for Development Committee in Tunis. The event, co-hosted with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), brought together high-level delegations from member states, ambassadors, experts, and representatives from regional and international organizations. Al-Hamisi highlighted the strategic importance of digital transformation for Tunisia's economic and social development.
Al-Hamisi emphasized the need to develop digital infrastructure, accelerate the digitization of government services, and enhance cybersecurity and data protection. He also stressed the importance of investing in digital skills and competencies. The minister underscored the necessity of promoting Arab digital integration through the development of a digital agenda for the Arab region and increased exchange of expertise and knowledge.
The minister also called for the establishment of responsible and secure AI governance frameworks, promoting digital inclusion, and ensuring equal access to technology and digital services. He expressed Tunisia's readiness to collaborate with ESCWA and member states to enhance cooperation, develop capacity-building programs, and launch joint digital initiatives.
ESCWA Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Secretary Rania Al-Mashat noted that the Arab region still faces a digital divide. Despite 95% of the population being covered by telecommunications networks, internet users do not exceed 70%. She also highlighted the limited availability of Arabic digital content, which accounts for only 1% of global websites.
Al-Mashat considered these challenges as opportunities to develop more inclusive digital systems and find common solutions tailored to the Arab region's specificities and needs. She emphasized ESCWA's role in shaping regional visions, monitoring and measuring digital gaps, and providing technical and policy support to member states.
The conference also featured a high-level panel discussion on the future of the Arab Digital Agenda and preparations for its second edition. The discussion focused on updating the agenda's objectives, targets, and indicators, as well as expanding its scope to include emerging areas such as AI, digital environmental sustainability, and outer space.
The Technology for Development Committee meeting represents a significant milestone in deepening regional dialogue and intensifying the exchange of views, expertise, and experiences on digital development priorities. The event aims to support Arab digital integration and lay the foundations for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable digital future.
Key points
- The Tunisian minister emphasized the need for responsible AI governance to enhance Arab digital integration.
- The Arab region faces a digital divide, with internet users not exceeding 70% despite 95% telecommunications coverage.
- The conference aimed to support the development of a more inclusive digital system and find common solutions tailored to the Arab region's specificities and needs.
