RIYADH — The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has commended Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), for its proactive efforts in establishing regulations that support the digital circular economy.

In a report published on Tuesday, the ITU highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to reducing global e-waste and promoting digital sustainability through innovative regulatory frameworks.

The report revealed that in 2022, 62 billion kilograms of e-waste were produced globally, with less than 23% being recycled.

The ITU praised CST’s collaborative efforts to address this challenge, stating that the commission is taking significant steps to promote a sustainable digital future, working closely with the ITU to improve global e-waste management.

The report, released on International E-Waste Day, also spotlighted CST’s partnership with the ITU in developing countries, focusing on e-waste management initiatives in Rwanda, Zambia, and Paraguay.

The initiative emphasizes collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure solutions align with both technological innovation and sustainability.

In Rwanda, the initiative has successfully implemented a circular framework to support environmental sustainability and economic growth. Zambia is nearing completion of its framework, and Paraguay is engaging local producers and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive e-waste regulatory system.

CST’s national “Recycle Your Device” initiative has also been praised, having collected over 100,000 electronic devices and recycled more than 240 tons of e-waste. The initiative not only helped reduce carbon emissions and combat global warming by approximately 0.03°C but also provided recycled devices to over 120 schools and charitable organizations, further contributing to Saudi Arabia’s environmental and social impact. — SG