NCA Director General Mustafa Yasin Joins Minister of Communication and Technology in ITU Regional Development Forum for Arab States 2023

The Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Mr. Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, was part of the delegation led by the Minister of Communications & Technology of Somalia, H.E Jama Hassan Khalif, who participated in the ITU Regional Development Forum for Arab States (RDF-ARB) 2023, which concludes today in the city of Manama, the capital of Bahrain. 

The RDF-ARB 2023 provided an invaluable platform for leaders in the field of communication to engage in discussions and presentations regarding regional and national priorities. These deliberations aimed to foster economic and social development throughout the Arab region.

Both the Minister and the Director General actively contributed to various panels, adding their insights and expertise to the ongoing discussions. Their participation underscored Somalia’s dedication to advancing the digital landscape and their commitment to regional cooperation.

During the forum, the Minister and the Director General held a successful bilateral meeting with the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications in Bahrain to discuss progress being made in each country in terms of digitalization. Bahrain offered to support Somalia, and both sides identified focal points to discuss collaboration further.

Additionally, an important milestone was reached as Somalia and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) signed a framework cooperation agreement. This agreement, signed by the Minister of Communications & Technology of Somalia, H.E Jama Khalif, and the ITU Regional Development Director, Mr. Cosmas Zavazava, focuses on critical areas of ICT development in Somalia through regulatory frameworks, capacity building, strengthening digital infrastructure, connectivity and fostering trust in digital services.

The NCA of Somalia applauds the ITU for organizing this forum, which provided an opportunity for the delegation to learn and exchange ideas with other stakeholders within the Arab region and beyond. The NCA looks forward to continued collaborations with the ITU and other stakeholders in the sector towards achieving its mandate of promoting the communications sector and ICT development in Somalia.