Saif bin Zayed inaugurates Digital Economy Technology Conference & Exhibition 'Seamless Middle East 2025'
21 May 2025 00:00
DUBAI (WAM)His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, inaugurated today the Conference and Exhibition for Digital Economy Technologies 'Seamless Middle East 2025.'
The event is taking place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 20 to 22, under the patronage of the Arab League. The event is attended by senior officials, sectoral experts, and leading figures in the global digital economy arena.
His Highness Sheikh Saif witnessed the launch of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy's 2025-2030 strategic plan, under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This conference affirms the UAE's commitment to leading regional efforts towards a comprehensive and sustainable digital transformation. The conference is being held within the framework of the "Arab Digital Vision," an initiative launched in Abu Dhabi in 2018 with the support and patronage of His Highness, the President of the UAE, and adopted at the Arab Leaders Summit in 2022.This international technology event is a vital milestone in an integrated development process, where technology is used as a tool for renaissance, a platform for peacemaking, and a bridge for tolerance, making the UAE an oasis of innovation and a focal point in shaping the future economy.Among the distinguished attendees were Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League; HRH Prince Mishal bin Mohammed bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; H.H. Prince Turki bin Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud; Omar Al Olama, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy; Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology in Qatar; Engineer Atef Helmy and Hani Mohammed Mahmoud, both former Ministers of Communications and Information Technology in Egypt; Rukaya Al-Derham, former Minister of Digital Economy; Amr Salem, former Syrian Minister of Communications and Information Technology; Engineer Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Suwayan, Governor of the Digital Government Authority in Saudi Arabia; Khaled Al-Jaradi, Advisor at the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Mohammadi Ahmed Al-Nai, Secretary-General of the Council of Arab Economic Unity; Sheikha Nawal Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah, President of the Arab Union for Combating Counterfeiting and Forgery; Sheikha Abrar Ali Al-Sabah Saud Al-Sabah; Counselor Khairy Ahmed Al-Kabbash, President of the Egyptian Court of Appeal; Professor Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University; Professor Mohamed Osman Elkhosht, Member of the Supreme Scientific Council of the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities; and Dr. Ali Mohammed Al Khouri, Advisor to the Council of Arab Economic Unity and Chairman of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy.The event also welcomed a number of accredited Arab ambassadors, regional delegations, government representatives, and specialized experts in digital transformation.The conference is held in line with the 'Arab Vision for Digital Economy,' a comprehensive initiative launched in Abu Dhabi in 2018 with the support and patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and adopted during the 2022 Arab Leaders Summit. It brings together representatives from international bodies such as the United Nations and the World Bank, in addition to major global digital economy corporations.Organized jointly by the Arab Federation for Digital Economy and Terrapinn International, the event features sessions led by Arab government officials, distinguished private sector executives, and international experts addressing key topics, including electronic payments, e-commerce, digital identity, smart retail, FinTech, banking services, logistics, digital marketing, and the broader banking ecosystem.His Highness Sheikh Saif toured the exhibition accompanying the conference and exhibition 'Seamless Middle East 2025.' The minister was accompanied by the Secretary-General of the Arab League, along with ministers and dignitaries attending the conference. The delegations were briefed on the latest innovations in digital payments, e-commerce, smart retail, FinTech, digital identity systems, banking solutions, and logistics services.Taking place from May 20 to 22, 2025, the conference and exhibition are jointly organised by the Arab Federation for Digital Economy and Terrapinn International, under the auspices of the Arab League. As one of the most prominent events in the regional digital economy calendar, the exhibition hosts over 800 speakers across 200 panel discussions and 70 workshops. The event has attracted more than 30,000 participants from the public and private sectors, along with 750 exhibiting companies and over 5,000 international guests.Visitors and participants praised the exhibition for its exceptional organization and the high caliber of showcased technologies, particularly those presented by emerging startups and global institutions. The event's vibrant atmosphere underscored the pace of digital transformation and the growing shift toward innovation in vital sectors.This year's edition is held as part of the ongoing efforts by the Arab League and the Arab Federation for Digital Economy to promote the role of advanced technologies in supporting sustainable economic and social development across the region. The gathering facilitates knowledge exchange among policymakers, experts, and innovators as they explore the future of the digital revolution.The Arab Federation for Digital Economy has unveiled its strategic plan for the 2025–2030 period, outlining a comprehensive institutional structure that will govern its programs, projects, and operations. The plan aims to align and enhance the Federation's efforts toward advancing the global digital transformation in a cohesive and impactful manner.The strategy is built on a unified framework designed to strengthen digital infrastructure, harmonize regional digital economy policies, develop technical skills, and promote innovation across multiple sectors. Its overarching goal is to foster a resilient and future-ready Arab digital economy that responds to global trends and harnesses the potential of emerging technologies.Dr. Al Khouri affirmed that the plan will serve as the Federation's operational guide, reinforcing its role as a regional body entrusted with steering digital transformation in the Arab world through actionable, measurable, and outcome-oriented programmes.Dr. Al Khouri remarked: 'The coming phase demands institutional structures that are capable of long-term planning and that foster productive collaboration among governments, industry, and academia. This environment will help create scalable digital solutions that broaden economic diversification, optimize resource use, and unlock new prospects for future generations.'The 2025–2030 Strategic Plan sets out a cohesive roadmap for coordinated Arab institutional efforts to build a dynamic and sustainable digital economy that can keep pace with global shifts while addressing the developmental and social needs of the region. It draws on the revised 'Arab Vision for the Digital Economy,' which was adopted by the Arab Summit in Algeria in 2022, and aims to integrate rapidly evolving technologies such as AI, big data, cloud computing, and other advanced innovations.Included in the plan is the ongoing development of the 'Arab Digital Economy Index,' which serves as a benchmark for evaluating Arab nations' digital progress annually. The index offers tailored recommendations to decision-makers, grounded in a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators that track digital transformation across both national and regional levels. The plan also reaffirms support for the 'Arab Digital Economy Award,' which aims to spotlight innovative projects that deliver regional impact and promote a culture of institutional excellence within digital sectors.The plan places strong emphasis on furthering strategic platforms launched by the Federation in past years. Chief among them is the 'Digital Education Platform,' which has completed initial pilot phases in several Arab countries and is now set for broader rollout and enhanced operational capacity. The strategy also covers implementation of projects such as the 'Arab Food Market,' aimed at digitizing food supply chains, and 'Mahaseel,' a program for modernizing agriculture through digital tools. Additionally, it calls for updates to the 'Arab Digital Investment Map,' positioning it as a driver for attracting investment and maximizing the economic value of digital initiatives.The Arab Federation for Digital Economy has formalized a strategic partnership with the People's Republic of China to accelerate the implementation of projects under the Arab Digital Economy Vision. Approved at the 2022 Arab Leaders Summit in Algeria and supported by President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this initiative marks a significant milestone in fostering an integrated Arab digital ecosystem driven by knowledge and cutting-edge technologies. It also aims to open up new horizons for international cooperation in the field of the advanced digital economy.This collaboration seeks to enhance digital transformation efforts across the Arab region through joint initiatives in artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, smart cities, and sector-specific digital solutions. The agreement follows in-depth consultations with leading Chinese technology companies and institutions to ensure long-term sustainability and alignment with the evolving needs of Arab markets.Beyond a bilateral agreement, this partnership lays the groundwork for a regional model of digital industrial and commercial cooperation, strengthening Arab integration in smart manufacturing, industrial innovation, and value chains. Key elements of the agreement include joint industrial and commercial ventures, along with specialized training programmes designed to equip Arab youth with essential technical skills for the emerging digital economy. These initiatives aim to elevate readiness for economic transformation and advance digital capabilities across Arab societies.The UAE serves as the hub for these projects, leveraging its advanced digital infrastructure, progressive regulatory environment, and leadership in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Through this partnership, the Federation is working to localize Chinese technology within Arab markets while fostering the development of regionally tailored digital solutions aligned with national growth objectives.Dr. Ali Mohammed Al Khouri, highlighted that this partnership underscores the Federation's commitment to accelerating Arab digital economic progress through strategic global alliances. He emphasized that the UAE would act as a regional innovation platform, enabling expansion to other Arab nations. Al Khouri described the collaboration with China as a transformative step in Arab digital integration, combining China's industrial and technological expertise with the Federation's vision for a dynamic and competitive Arab digital economy. He further noted that this initiative would drive tangible economic projects, generate employment, boost economic growth, and establish a foundation for an advanced Arab digital industry. Ultimately, the partnership serves as a practical model for harnessing international cooperation to support sustainable development.At an official ceremony held in conjunction with t'Seamless Middle East 2025', which is hosted by Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 20 to 22, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, honored the winners of the second edition of the Arab Digital Economy Award. This award highlights the most distinguished initiatives and influential figures contributing to digital transformation and technological innovation across the Arab world.The Arab Digital Economy Award is an initiative of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, stemming from the Arab Vision for Digital Economy, which was adopted at the Arab Leaders Summit in 2022. It seeks to spotlight the most impactful digital models and practices that support sustainable development and the advancement of the smart economy in the region. Nominees undergo a rigorous evaluation process led by an independent jury composed of a select group of regional and international experts.The 2025 edition saw widespread participation from across the Arab world, demonstrating the growing commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in the digital economy.In the Leadership category, Engineer Atef Helmy, former Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Egypt, received the Digital Leadership Award in recognition of his contributions to institutional digital infrastructure development and digital transformation in Egypt.In the Arab Government Entities category, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) was honored for its achievements in advancing artificial intelligence and national digital infrastructure. The Royal Oman Police received recognition for its "Bayan" system, which has streamlined customs procedures and linked more than 70 government and private entities through automation and AI technologies.The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Qatar was awarded in the National Digital Policies category for its role in implementing the Qatari strategy for digital transformation within the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030.The "Bin Wraiqa Service" project—an initiative by the UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the Ministry of Health (Emirates Health Establishment), the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Health Establishment, the Ministry of Defense (Zayed Military Hospital), and the National Ambulance—was recognized as a model application showcasing how technology can be leveraged to serve communities.The Sharjah Research and Innovation Center won in the Research Centers category for its contributions to advancing research and technological innovation.In the private sector, Al Maryah Local Bank from the UAE was awarded in the Smart Applications category for its cryptocurrency exchange and trading regulation project, which represents a pioneering integration of FinTech into secure banking frameworks, supporting digital assets and modernizing financial regulatory environments.On the international level, Samia Melhem, Senior Expert at the World Bank, received the International Digital Empowerment Award for her efforts in strengthening digital capabilities and fostering public-private partnerships in Arab countries. Richard Kirby, former Senior Expert at the United Nations, received the International Leadership Award for his contributions to digital transformation strategies in over 40 countries and his role in developing digital performance indicators for the Arab region.In the Research and Innovation category, Dr. Hajar Al-Musannaf of Morocco was recognized for her research, Artificial Intelligence for a Knowledge Economy: Multiple Applications in Health, Agriculture, Education, and Industry along with her broader contributions to artificial intelligence and digital solutions with social and educational impact.
The Arab Federation for Digital Economy emphasized that this award serves as an effective mechanism for accelerating digital transformation in the Arab world and enhancing regional and international cooperation through the recognition of visionary leaders and groundbreaking initiatives. The patronage and recognition by the Secretary-General of the Arab League underscore the official Arab commitment to empowering the digital economy as a fundamental pillar for building a sustainable and prosperous future.
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