Dubai Hosts SAMENA Summit Urging Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Transformation
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated the SAMENA Council Leaders' Summit 2025 in Dubai today, calling for smarter, inclusive, and human-centric digital transformation across the region.
Held under the patronage of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), the summit brought together policymakers, regulators, and tech leaders from across South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa to address the evolving digital landscape.
In his keynote, Sheikh Nahyan declared that digital transformation in the UAE is no longer an ambition but a lived reality, crediting the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He cited the UAE's early adoption of AI governance, digital skills investment, and the establishment of the world's first AI ministry as signs of its proactive strategy.
He highlighted advancements in 5G, AI, and cloud infrastructure as key enablers reshaping sectors from healthcare to finance. Yet, he cautioned that global volatility, including protectionist trade policies, poses serious risks to supply chains and emerging market growth. 'Disruption also presents opportunity,'
Sheikh Nahyan said, urging the region to strengthen innovation ecosystems, invest in future skills, and promote digital cooperation. He identified artificial intelligence as the defining force of the era—transformative yet fraught with ethical, security, and workforce challenges.
Reflecting on the summit's theme—'Intelligent & Sustainable Transformation of Digital Economies'—he stressed that digital success hinges on responsible application and social impact.
Throughout the day, the summit served as a high-level forum for regional collaboration, reinforcing the need for unified digital progress and resilient infrastructure to shape a secure, inclusive digital future.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
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