
SAMENA Council Announces Leaders' Summit 2025 in Dubai
The SAMENA Telecommunications Council has announced that the Leaders' Summit 2025 will take place on May 26 in Dubai. The annual event is expected to bring together renowned leaders, policymakers, regulators, investors, and industry executives from across the SA-ME-NA region, Central Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and ASEAN.
Organizers revealed that global and regional ICT and industry development bodies, including ITU, DCO, and GSMA, will also participate. The Summit will be held under the chief-patronage of the UAE's Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
It is being organized with strategic industry collaboration from Huawei, Mobily, WBBA, stc, ZTE, and 7 Generation, alongside members of the SAMENA Council.
Bocar BA, CEO and Board Member of SAMENA Council, stated that the Leaders' Summit 2025 will focus on sustainable digital transformation. He emphasized the importance of dialogue, collaboration, and investment to accelerate intelligent and secure AI integration within 5G environments.
He also highlighted the need for infrastructure expansion to underserved areas and the deployment of innovative services to reshape the digital future.
This year's theme, 'Intelligent & Sustainable Transformation of Digital Economies,' reflects a commitment to advancing smart, inclusive growth across SAMENA Council markets.
The Summit aims to support discussions ahead of major global stakeholder events, including the G20 Summit.
Key points revealed include: High-profile roundtables such as the G20 Inter-Ministerial Roundtable, organized with South Africa's Ministry of Communications.
The Multi-TRA Forum, chaired by TDRA-UAE, which will explore strategies for leveraging 5G to enhance municipal and smart city services in the GCC.
In addition, a roundtable on Space Development and WRC-27, and another focused on Cybersecurity, will be held.
It was reported that the Summit will also examine the role of policies, regulations, and investments in fostering digital ecosystems.
Organizers stated that the Summit will provide a platform for governments, businesses, and regulators to align efforts for inclusive digital advancement.
With tools like the Digital Economy Navigator (DEN), participants will assess how to guide cross-border digital progress.
Stakeholders will explore the adoption of 5G, 5G-Advanced, AI, and related technologies across industries and economic sectors.
Ultimately, the Leaders' Summit 2025 will serve as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation to ensure digital transformation is inclusive, intelligent, and sustainable.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
6 hours ago
- Zawya
WWF calls on G20 to prioritise sustainable mining for green future in Africa
The race to acquire the minerals needed for a low-carbon energy transition away from fossil fuels is on, but if this is to have a positive impact on both people and the environment, it needs to be carefully planned and monitored. Ahead of the G20 Summit from 22 to 23 November 2025 in Johannesburg, WWF is calling on the G20 to prioritise sustainable mining and has developed a discussion document titled 'An agenda for responsible mining of transition minerals in Africa'. At the outset, this document warns that we need to avoid 'past patterns of extractivism in Africa – the resource curse, rent-seeking by elites, illicit financial flows, exploitative jobs, displacement and disruption of local communities, plus water, land and biodiversity impacts'. Among these impacts are pollution and the loss of productive land, carbon sinks, biodiversity habitats, and freshwater systems. Transition minerals are sometimes referred to as green minerals or a sub-category of critical minerals. Their defining quality is that they are essential for the transition to low-carbon technologies. Smallest possible carbon footprint A World Bank estimate is that there will be a 500% increase in demand for minerals such as graphite, lithium and cobalt by 2050 to meet the needs of the global just transition to a new energy order. As many of these minerals are found in developing countries, among them South Africa, we must prepare to meet this growing demand with, as the World Bank puts it, 'the smallest possible carbon footprint, while safeguarding the environment and people'. The best way to do this is to minimise mining as far as possible by creating circular economy industries, which include reclaiming these minerals from tailings dams, slag heaps, stockpiles and mine-polluted water sources and from scrap metals and post-consumer waste. This is an opportunity for all countries, not just those with minerals in the ground. A South African government strategy document on the economic potential of 'critical minerals and metals' concedes that mineral exploitation is linked to 'environmental degradation, displacement of communities, negative health impacts, illegal mining, and the continuation of inequality'. The issue of the sustainable development of a transition minerals industry could not be more pertinent as South Africa prepares to host the G20 nations later this year, where many of the players in this new world order will be present. Six key recommendations The WWF discussion document outlines six key recommendations to ensure that we are able to both benefit from this emerging industry while avoiding the mistakes of the past. Implicit in most of these points are current failures in our mining industry, which urgently need to be addressed, along with the need to prioritise environmental sustainability. - Circular economies: Create circular economies for transition minerals to build out new industries and jobs, and minimise the need for destructive virgin mining. - Land-use planning: Mandate strategic land-use decision-making at a national level to establish relative benefits of different land uses and possibly 'no-go areas' for mining, before a mining project's conception and impact assessments. - Workers' rights: Adopt and implement legislation and action plans on work in mining, and strengthen institutions, including enforcement agencies, relating to the eradication of child labour, human trafficking and modern slavery; and to improve worker rights, in line with the decent work guidelines of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). - Sufficient funds for rehabilitation and offsets: Grant prospecting permits and mining licences only if the business case for the mine indicates sufficient funds for sustainability practices in operations, for both rehabilitation and offsets to compensate for residual negative impacts. - Sustainability best practices: Adopt and implement best practices for sustainability during preparation, mining and post-mining. To ensure this implementation happens, aspects of these best practices should be translated into regulations; otherwise, there is no guarantee they will be followed or the necessary benefits realised. - Global framework: Establish a global framework and mechanisms for traceability, transparency and accountability in the mining and processing of transition minerals.


Tourism Breaking News
8 hours ago
- Tourism Breaking News
OMRAN CEO among key speakers at WTTC's landmark 25th Global Summit in Rome
Post Views: 265 The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed the biggest names in the travel and tourism industry as headline speakers for its milestone 25th Global Summit in Rome. Hashil Al Mahrouqi, CEO, OMRAN Group, Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International are among the glittering line-up of some of the most influential figures shaping the future of the sector. From the 28 – 30 September, the Eternal City will play host to a gathering of global business leaders from across business, government, and media, as the Global Summit returns to Europe in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT (the Italian national tourist board), the Municipality of Rome, and the Lazio Region. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: 'We're thrilled to have such a distinguished group of speakers already confirmed for our Global Summit in Rome. 'The Eternal City provides a perfect backdrop for a Summit where the world's Travel & Tourism leaders will gather to innovate, collaborate, and drive a decade of exceptional, sustainable growth.' Taking place at the iconic Auditorium Parco della Musica, the event will set the stage for high-impact debates and bold commitments on the issues defining Travel & Tourism. From the game-changing potential of AI to shaping the future of a sector that generates 10% of global GDP. The first confirmed speakers include: Minor Hotel Group, Founder & Chairman, William E. Heinecke Virtuoso, Founder & CEO, Matthew Upchurch Group, CEO, Jane Sun, CEO Co-Founder, Gaurav Bhatnagar Diriyah Company, Group CEO, Jerry Inzerillo MSC Cruises, Executive Chairman of Cruise, Pierfrancesco Vago Arsenale Spa, CEO, Paolo Barletta IC Bellagio, CEO – Sole Founder, Andrea Grisdale The Bicester Collection, Chair & Global Chief Merchant, Desiree Bollier Marriott International, CEO, Anthony Capuano Visit California, President & CEO, Caroline Beteta Google Inc, Head of Retail & Travel, EMEA Partnerships Solutions, Christie Travers-Smith InterContinental Hotels Group, Global CEO, Elie Maalouf Amadeus, President: Travel, Decius Valmorbida Menezes VFS Global, Founder, Founder & CEO, Zubin Karkaria Other speakers include: Indian Hotels Company, CEO, Puneet Chhatwal Microsoft, Global Managing Director – Travel, Transport & Hospitality Industry, Julie Shainock OMRAN Group, CEO, Hashil Al Mahrouqi Terme & Spa Italia, President & Owner, Massimo Caputi During the Global Summit, WTTC's current Chair, Greg O'Hara, Founder and Senior Managing Director of Certares Management LLC ('Certares') will pass the torch to Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman of Heritage Group and co-chair of luxury travel company Abercrombie and Kent – one of the most recognised names in Travel & Tourism. Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, who will also be addressing delegates at this year's Global Summit said: 'The names confirmed so far reaffirm the absolute prestige of the world's largest tourism event: the WTTC Global Summit will be a historic moment that will offer enormous opportunities in favour of large investments in Italy, so much so that a special focus with Invitalia is dedicated precisely to this issue'. Greg O'Hara, Founder & Senior Managing Director, Certares, and WTTC Chair, added: 'The WTTC Global Summit has evolved into the most influential gathering in Travel & Tourism, bringing together the people and ideas that shape our sector's future. Rome will be a launchpad for the next decade of growth, innovation, and collaboration. 'I'm honoured to host my final Summit as Chair alongside such an extraordinary line-up of leaders, as we work together to ensure Travel & Tourism continues to drive prosperity and connect cultures around the world.' Manfredi Lefebvre, Executive Chairman of AKTG, Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal Cruises and WTTC Chair-Elect, added: 'As we gather in the heart of Rome, we are reminded that the future of Travel & Tourism is not just about destinations, but about the connections we forge and the experiences we create together. This summit marks a pivotal moment for our industry; it is an opportunity to embrace innovation and resilience, ensuring that we not only thrive but also leave a lasting legacy for future generations.' More speakers and headline sessions will be announced in the coming weeks, with the programme set to tackle the most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities for a sector that generates millions of jobs, drives economic resilience, and connects communities across the globe.


Tourism Breaking News
a day ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Ministry of Economy & Tourism to host ‘UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit' as part of FHS World 2025 in Dubai this October to explore new partnerships & boost tourism investments
Post Views: 117 The Ministry of Economy and Tourism announced that it will host the UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit on 27 October 2025 in Dubai, as part of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World 2025). The Summit aims to enhance economic and tourism partnerships between the UAE and African nations, boosting mutual investments across key priority sectors, particularly tourism, hospitality, and related services. As part of the initiative, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Bench – the organizers of FHS World – in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism. The MoU was signed by H.E. Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry, and Daria Smith, Portfolio Director at The Bench. The two parties will collaborate on organizing the event and coordinating its promotional efforts, in line with the Summit's objective of highlighting investment opportunities in tourism-related activities and projects across the African continent. The event will bring together over 250 high-level participants, including senior government officials, decision-makers, and investors from 53 African countries, including tourism ministers and representatives of investment promotion agencies from across the continent. This reinforces the UAE's role as a reliable investment partner for Africa and opens new avenues for strategic collaboration in vital sectors that contribute to building a more integrated and sustainable economic future. H.E. Badreya Al Maidoor said: 'The UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit will serve as a strategic platform for exchanging insights and expertise between the UAE and African nations, supporting sustainable development efforts through the establishment of projects and partnerships that serve mutual interests. This aligns with the objectives of 'We the UAE 2031' vision, which aims to position the country as a leading global hub for the new economy, driven by international partnerships and future-focused sectors.' Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench said: 'We are honoured to partner with the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism to launch the UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit as part of FHS World 2025. This collaboration reflects our shared ambition to accelerate investment and development across Africa's hospitality sector. The UAE has long served as a bridge between global capital and emerging markets, and this new platform will strengthen the connections between African nations and the international investment community. Together, we are creating an ecosystem that fosters meaningful dialogue, unlocks deal flow, and drives long-term economic growth across the continent.' The Summit will enable participants to explore opportunities for collaboration between government entities and the private sector across the tourism, investment, infrastructure, and hospitality sectors in both the UAE and the African continent. It also seeks to highlight future initiatives within the tourism and hospitality sectors in both markets.