Dubai: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated the SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Dubai, marking the beginning of a significant event under the patronage of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). The summit brought together regional policymakers, regulators, technology firms, and digital enablers from across the globe.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Nahyan’s opening address underscored the UAE’s advancement in digital transformation, highlighting the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in prioritizing digital innovation for economic diversification and global competitiveness. He emphasized the UAE’s proactive establishment of institutions to adapt to rapid technological change, including the creation of the world’s first ministry for artificial intelligence and investment in technical education.
Sheikh Nahyan noted that the UAE is now recognized as a global leader in digital economy development, driven by sustainable progress and policy innovation. He pointed out that advancements in 5G networks, cloud infrastructure, and AI are reshaping possibilities across various sectors. However, he also acknowledged the challenges posed by the volatile global environment, such as recent trade policies affecting the interconnectedness of trade, technology, and geopolitics.
He warned that these geopolitical tensions could disrupt supply chains and increase costs for emerging markets, potentially hindering global digital transformation. However, he also saw opportunity in disruption, urging the SAMENA region to strengthen local innovation ecosystems, build resilient infrastructure, and forge new partnerships to secure its place in the future global digital order.
Sheikh Nahyan identified AI as a transformative force impacting sectors like healthcare, education, finance, and agriculture, while also raising ethical and governance challenges. He reflected on the summit’s theme, ‘Intelligent and Sustainable Transformation of Digital Economies,’ emphasizing that digital success today is measured by the wisdom of application rather than speed of adoption.
He called for investment in human capital, inclusive innovation ecosystems, and digital infrastructure to enhance social cohesion, economic opportunity, and environmental safeguards. He highlighted the region’s unique strengths, including digitally-savvy youth and visionary governments, as assets in driving digital transformation.
Concluding his remarks, Sheikh Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to leading the journey towards a smarter and more prosperous digital world, encouraging unified action and innovation. The summit provided a strategic platform for exploring critical domains and called for accelerated transformation across technologies and digital economies in the South Asia-Middle East-North Africa region.
