Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia, represented by Acting Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Eng. Haytham AlOhali participated in the annual meeting of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. This year’s session marked a special edition celebrating 15 years since the commission’s establishment.

Saudi Arabia’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing digital transformation, fostering global digital economic growth, bridging the digital divide, and expanding access to communication and technology services.

Eng. AlOhali reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to achieving equitable and sustainable digital development and praised the Broadband Commission’s continued support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted that CST operates as a 5G regulator, as recognized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and leads a range of national and global initiatives in collaboration with international partners to help realize shared objectives.

He emphasized that the Kingdom’s national digital strategy aligns closely with the ITU’s “Connect 2030” vision. He also referenced ongoing cooperation with the ITU to update the study titled Connecting Humanity Through Sustainable, Affordable, and Innovative Solutions, which aims to identify connectivity gaps and develop practical approaches to achieving universal and affordable internet access.

AlOhali highlighted the success of the Open Access Initiative, which enabled infrastructure sharing among telecom providers and extended fiber-optic connections to more than 3.9 million homes—surpassing earlier targets. He further noted the Kingdom's continued investment in non-terrestrial network technologies, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), to extend coverage to underserved areas.

Regionally, he pointed to Saudi Arabia's leadership in launching the “Digital Sustainability Tool” in cooperation with the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), as well as its role in leading the Circular Digital Economy track under the ITU’s Green Digital Action initiative.

While stressing that closing the digital divide remains one of the most pressing global challenges, AlOhali called for greater collaboration and joint efforts to achieve inclusive digital development.