The Council of Arab Ministers for Communications and Information has chosen Muscat to be the Arab Digital Capital for 2022. In 2019, the Council of Arab Ministers for Communications and Information started to question why Arab countries are not seen as powerful in digital fields around the globe although they have the qualifications and capabilities that distinguish them. Since then, the aforementioned council has been choosing an Arab capital annually to be the digital capital for a year based on its abilities and features to promote successful digital initiatives.
This year, the council has named Muscat as the Arab Digital Capital for 2022 for the following reasons:
· International center for data exchange
· Strong digital capabilities and infrastructure
· Technically capable young society
· Submarine cables that allow high-speed digital exchange
In his interview; Eng. Said Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said that Muscat’s candidacy file was presented under the logo ‘Digital Future that Generates Opportunities’, seeking to make a mark on the digitalization of the Arab world with three main axes, which are cyber-security, digital capabilities development, and digital innovation.
Dr. Saud bin Humaid Al Shuaili, Head of the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology's National Space Program, said that the vision for this whole year is to empower youth through organizing digital and technical events at the local and Arab country levels. Government institutions and private sectors are all included in the process of highlighting a digital Muscat.
Future Skills and Human Resource Development Exhibition is a great opportunity that provides the most engaging and networking platform for youth talent development leaders, learning heads, human resources and business leaders to bridge the gaps and find solutions in several areas of digital eco systems; such as AI, Cybersecurity, IoT, Innovation, Drones, Future Mobility, Blockchain, Coding and more which correspond to the Oman Vision 2040 and the digital capital goals.
“For me being the Project Assistant of this important exhibition, wherein companies and governments will exhibit to showcase future technologies at workplace as well as schools will display scientific innovation and entrepreneurship projects to the visitors, it's my privilege to contribute towards guiding the children and youth to a brighter digital future,” says Jawaher Al Marhoobi - Project Assistant at GHEDEX Group of Events.
