Latest news with #DCO
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait in talks to chair committee to combat digital misinformation
Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) council representatives meet in Kuwait KUWAIT: Kuwait is in discussions to lead a multilateral committee to combat digital disinformation, aiming to unify Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) member states' efforts in countering fake news and safeguarding digital content integrity, Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar said following a key meeting of the DCO. DCO is a global multilateral body established in 2020 and headquartered in Saudi Arabia. It brings together governments, the private sector, international organizations, NGOs and civil society to enable more inclusive digital transformation and the growth of digital industries. Members include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Djibouti, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia. Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar and DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya attend a DCO Council meeting chaired by Kuwait. Wednesday's meeting is the first of its kind since Kuwait assumed the rotating presidency of the DCO Council after the fourth General Assembly held in Jordan last February. 'This exceptional meeting represents a milestone in establishing coordinated efforts between member states to overcome digital challenges and promote integrity in digital content,' said Al-Omar. Al-Omar added that the adoption of Kuwait as the host country for the next DCO General Assembly underscores its leadership role in advancing regional and international digital cooperation. DCO Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya praised Kuwait's initiative to host the extraordinary meeting, saying it reflects Kuwait's serious commitment to joint digital action and its leadership in strengthening the organization's institutional structure. 'This meeting is a strategic step in advancing our shared digital agenda and expanding the organization's impact in supporting emerging digital economies,' Al-Yahya said. During her visit to Kuwait, Al-Yahya, who is also Member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, and her accompanying delegation met with His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, at Bayan Palace. The meeting was attended by Minister Al-Omar, and Head of the Prime Minister's Diwan, Abdulaziz Dakhil Al-Dakhil. — Agencies
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Xlinks Pauses UK-Morocco Undersea Power Cable Project Amid Regulatory Delays
Doha – Xlinks, the British company behind the ambitious project to connect Morocco and the United Kingdom via undersea power cables, has temporarily paused its Development Consent Order (DCO) examination process. In a May 14 letter to the UK Planning Inspectorate, the company requested this halt while awaiting a crucial decision on its Contract for Difference (CfD) from the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. The pause comes as the company seeks financial certainty through a CfD that would guarantee fixed electricity prices for 25 years. According to company sources close to the matter, this is 'a pause in the DCO process, not a suspension,' aimed at preventing 'misalignment of different project development stages.' The main issue holding up the project is the need for price certainty. Xlinks is seeking a guaranteed price of £77 per megawatt-hour for solar energy and £87 for wind energy produced in Morocco's Guelmim-Oued Noun region. Without this financial commitment, investors are reluctant to move forward with the necessary funding. 'Without this clear commitment on a stable price, Xlinks' financial partners are hesitant to inject the necessary investments,' the company stated. Dave Lewis, Xlinks' chairman, has expressed frustration over the delays and frequent ministerial changes in the UK's energy department. In a January interview with Bloomberg, Lewis noted that the undersea cable project could generate up to £24 billion (MAD 300 billion) in investments, with approximately £5 billion in Great Britain alone. The project was designated as a 'nationally significant infrastructure project' by the British government in 2023, highlighting its strategic importance to the UK's energy security. It aims to provide power to nine million British households and reduce CO2 emissions from the UK energy sector by 10%. Read also: Former UK Minister: Morocco Key Player in Britain's Clean Energy Mission The proposed 3,900-kilometer cable would traverse Portuguese, Spanish, and French coastal waters to connect Morocco's renewable energy facilities with the British grid. If completed, it would deliver 3.6 gigawatts of electricity generated from solar parks, wind farms, and battery storage systems. Facing continued delays, Xlinks has begun exploring alternatives. Lewis told The Telegraph in early April that if the British government's response was further delayed, shareholders might redirect resources toward other projects under development, including a potential Morocco-Germany connection. The company opted for direct negotiations with the government rather than going through a tender process, which has contributed to the delays. Political instability in the UK has further complicated negotiations. Meanwhile, competition is emerging. Australian group Fortescue is developing a similar 100-gigawatt electrical connection project between North Africa and the European Union. Fortescue's chairman, Andrew Forrest, has confirmed discussions with Ed Miliband, the British Secretary of State for Energy Security, and various European governments about installing multiple undersea cables that could transport up to 500 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually—nearly equivalent to Germany's total annual consumption. Even with the most favorable outcome, Xlinks' complex authorization process is unlikely to conclude before 2026. While the company targets a 2030 launch date, effective service might not begin until 2031 at the earliest—a timeline that has investors increasingly concerned. The project has already received authorization from the Moroccan side, but still requires approvals from France, Spain, and Portugal, which the cables would cross. Tags: UK MoroccoXlinks project
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Xlinks requests pause in UK permit process as it awaits pricing decision for Morocco–UK project
Xlinks, the company behind the 4,000 km subsea cable to deliver solar and wind-generated electricity from Morocco to the UK, has paused its application for a Development Consent Order (DCO)—a legal authorization required for large infrastructure projects in the UK. Xlinks formally requested the pause in a letter to the UK Planning Inspectorate on May 14, explaining that it wants to wait for the outcome of its Contract for Difference (CfD) bid before proceeding. The CfD is a pricing mechanism that allows renewable energy developers to lock in a fixed price for their electricity over a set period, ensuring financial stability for large-scale projects. Xlinks expects a decision in late spring and is seeking a price of £70–80 per megawatt-hour (MWh), lower than comparable projects. Aligning project stages The Planning Inspectorate's answer was swift, granting Xlinks said pause on May 15. Sources close to the project told Yabiladi that the pause is not a suspension or cancellation, but a strategic move to align project stages. «The purpose of the pause is to allow the review process to proceed as efficiently and rigorously as possible, while ensuring that the DCO can then progress rapidly», they explained. It is worth noting that the Morocco–UK Power Project aims to deliver 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of dispatchable, clean energy from solar, wind, and battery facilities in Morocco to the UK. The project, which could cost up to £24 billion, is expected to cut UK carbon emissions by 10% and reduce wholesale electricity prices by 9.3%. In 2022, the project was included in the UK's strategic energy vision and recognized as a project of national significance in 2023. For the record, Xlinks has expressed frustration over delays in receiving UK government backing for the project, warning it could move the initiative to another country. Speaking to local media in March, Sir Dave Lewis, chairman of Xlinks, said that the delays in securing government approval are undermining investor confidence.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia's Deemah AlYahya Reappointed as DCO Chief
The Digital Cooperation Organization announced the reappointment of Deemah AlYahya as secretary-general for a new four-year term, following a nomination by the Kingdom and the approval of member states during the DCO council meeting held virtually in Kuwait. AlYahya's reappointment paves the way for implementing the organization's agenda over the next four years, as announced in February 2025 during the DCO's fourth annual general assembly. The agenda focuses on supporting collaborative efforts to enhance the resilience of the digital economy and promote social prosperity by advancing digital maturity levels across member states. On behalf of the DCO council, Kuwaiti Minister of State for Communication Affairs and chairman of the DCO council's current session Omar Al-Omar congratulated AlYahya on her reappointment as secretary-general. He noted that the decision reflects her exemplary leadership during her first term and expressed optimism about the continued success of the DCO over the next four years. Under AlYahya's leadership, the DCO has expanded its membership from five founding nations to 16 member states, solidifying its position as a multilateral international organization. The DCO focuses on empowering nations to shape policies and develop digital infrastructure that fosters economic opportunities, supports youth and entrepreneurs, and advances alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Iraqi News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq's IDB introduces Arab Tourist Card
Baghdad ( – The International Development Bank (IDB) in Iraq announced on Saturday the launch of the 'Arab Tourist Card' in collaboration with the Visit Iraq platform, which would streamline financial transactions for Arab tourists visiting Iraq. The IDB said in a statement that it launched the card in collaboration with the official Visit Iraq portal to make financial transactions easier for Arab tourists in the country, the state-run news agency (INA) reported. The IDB and the national Visit Iraq platform collaborated to create the initiative to promote tourism and improve digital banking services. The initiative represents a step toward improving Iraq's tourist infrastructure by offering digital payment options tailored exclusively for Arab visitors. The step follows the Central Bank of Iraq's (CBI) announcement in December to launch several strategic initiatives aimed at enabling Iraqi financial institutions and banks to embrace modern digital solutions. During his participation in the fourth annual international scientific conference, entitled 'Digital Financial Services—Challenges of Reality and Foresight of the Future,' CBI's governor, Ali Al-Alaq, explained that the bank's strategy focuses on strengthening the banking industry's digital infrastructure and guaranteeing the delivery of cutting-edge and safe services that satisfy clients' growing demands. Additionally, Al-Alaq elaborated that the CBI launched initiatives to improve cybersecurity in the Iraqi banking sector. In March, Al-Alaq disclosed that the government is developing a plan for a full-scale digital transformation. During a meeting in November with the Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Deemah AlYahya, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, emphasized that the government has included digital transformation in its economic and administrative reforms, as well as electronic payments. Al-Sudani discussed the government's ability to make a significant shift in this area as well as its readiness to work with the DCO to create projects that help Iraq and the region in the framework of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
