By: Bakinam Khaled – Rasha Hussein
Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, confirmed that the Egyptian government launched a strategy to build a digital Egypt based on a number of axes aimed at achieving digital transformation in all sectors of the state, building capabilities and supporting digital creativity, in addition to providing a strong and secure digital infrastructure, and preparing the legislative and regulatory framework Supporting the development of the communications and information technology industry.
This came in a speech delivered by Dr. Amr Talaat in the political statements session within the activities of the Plenipotentiary Conference organized by the International Telecommunication Union in the Romanian capital Bucharest. The Minister reviewed the most important developments in the field of communications and information technology in Egypt, and the plans and programs that are implemented at the national level, which are in line with the global trends set by the International Telecommunication Union.
In his speech, Dr. Amr Talaat explained that Egypt succeeded in doubling the average fixed internet speed 8 times to become the first African country to rank the average internet speed, and a project is currently being implemented to deliver high-speed internet services to about 58 million citizens in 3.5 million homes in about 5,000 Egyptian villages. As part of a decent life initiative; Noting that more than 20,000 buildings have been connected within the project to link government buildings to the fiber-optic network at the level of the Republic.
Dr. Amr Talaat explained that a plan is currently being implemented to establish 16 smart cities, and the Knowledge City is being established as a technological edifice to support innovation and attract investments. He explained that Egypt sets its sights on building the human being as a basic foundation for achieving a digital Egypt; The number of trainees has multiplied 56 times to reach about a quarter of a million trainees annually, and the training budget has multiplied 26 times in just four years.
Dr. Amr Talaat stressed that the tireless efforts made by the state to build a digital Egypt had a positive impact on the communications and information technology sector, which remains the highest growing sector among all sectors of the state for four consecutive years, with a growth rate of more than 16%; Pointing out that digital exports increased at an annual growth rate of about 10%.
Dr. Amr Talaat indicated Egypt's keenness to actively participate in the activities of the International Telecommunication Union through the positive contribution of Egyptian experts, since its accession to the Union in 1876 and then its accession to the ITU Council in 1973; Pointing to Egypt's interest in supporting the Union's activities at all levels; Where it hosts the Arab Regional Office, it also hosted the work of the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2019, as well as the activities of the World Telecommunication Regulators Forum 2023; He stressed the importance of continuing to put climate change issues among the Union's priorities.
In the conclusion of his speech; Dr. Amr Talaat invited the conference participants to attend the 27th session of the Climate Summit, which will be hosted by Sharm El-Sheikh next November.
It is worth noting that the Plenipotentiary Conference is considered the supreme policy-making body within the International Telecommunication Union, and it is held every four years, during which member states decide the future role of the global organization in the field of telecommunications around the world, and its role in the development of information and communication technology and its trends at the global level, and setting policies general of the federation; And the adoption of strategic and financial plans during the next four years. During the conference, the organization's senior management team (the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and directors of the ITU Sectoral Offices), the member states of the Council and the members of the Radio Regulations Board are elected.
attended the session; Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, a number of Ministers of Communications and Information Technology, relevant senior officials and representatives from member states.
