H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance & Coexistence, inaugurated the SAMENA Telecommunications Council Leaders’ Summit 2026 in Dubai, setting the tone for a high‑level regional dialogue on digital sovereignty, intelligent networks, and sustainable technological futures. The summit, held at Atlantis The Palm under the theme “Intelligent Networks for Sovereign and Sustainable Futures,” convened at a pivotal moment for the region, drawing leaders from telecommunications, technology, policy, and investment sectors.
Organized in strategic collaboration with Huawei and under the patronage of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), the event reinforced the UAE’s position as a global hub for digital cooperation and forward‑looking policy development. The summit saw broad in‑person and virtual participation, reflecting the growing urgency of coordinated action across the digital ecosystem.
In his keynote address, Sheikh Nahyan congratulated the SAMENA Council on its twentieth anniversary, praising its role in shaping regional dialogue and advancing digital transformation. He noted that when the Council was founded, broadband was a luxury and smartphones were not yet ubiquitous, emphasizing how dramatically the digital landscape has evolved. “The Council’s success and its growing relevance year after year reflect the clarity of its vision and its ability to evolve without losing its core purpose,” he said.
Addressing the broader geopolitical context, Sheikh Nahyan acknowledged that the summit was taking place during a period of heightened regional tensions. He underscored the UAE’s steadfastness and resilience, built on decades of strategic planning and visionary leadership. “Regardless of the pressures or challenges, the UAE will remain steady, capable, and forward‑looking. We will continue to protect our nation and preserve peace,” he affirmed, highlighting the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Sheikh Nahyan emphasized that the summit’s theme reflects the inseparable link between digital systems, economic growth, national security, and societal well‑being. He stressed that digital sovereignty is not about isolation but about ensuring nations retain the ability to make secure, lawful, and strategic decisions regarding their digital infrastructure. “Our world is interconnected, and our prosperity depends on cooperation, investment, openness, and exchange,” he said.
He further highlighted the SAMENA region’s unique position—home to advanced infrastructure, ambitious digital transformation agendas, smart cities, and growing investments in artificial intelligence. These strengths, he noted, come with responsibilities that require practical policies, robust regulation, and strong regional coordination.
Reflecting on the role of digital infrastructure during times of conflict, Sheikh Nahyan warned that the digital domain increasingly forms part of the battlefield, making resilience essential. He pointed to the UAE’s investments in digital government, AI‑powered public services, and future‑ready governance as examples of national preparedness.
He concluded by outlining four principles essential for the region’s digital future: resilience, trust, partnership, and wisdom. These, he said, must guide technology policy to ensure dignity, stability, prosperity, and peace.
Industry Leaders Address 5G Evolution, AI Governance, and New Connectivity Models
The summit featured specialized sessions led by telecom operators, regulators, global technology providers, and international organizations. Discussions explored the evolution of advanced 5G technologies, the integration of AI into networks and industrial systems, and the rise of hybrid connectivity models combining terrestrial and non‑terrestrial networks.
Participants highlighted the increasing complexity facing telecom operators, driven by surging demand for data, rising investment needs, evolving regulatory frameworks, and the search for sustainable revenue models. The consensus: operators must move beyond traditional connectivity and focus on enterprise solutions, digital platforms, and specialized applications.
Artificial intelligence was a central theme, with sessions examining its shift from experimentation to real‑world deployment. The concept of “sovereign AI” emerged as a key framework for balancing innovation with regulatory sovereignty and national priorities.
The summit also addressed the growing convergence of terrestrial and satellite networks and the emergence of direct‑to‑device connectivity, which promises enhanced coverage and resilience but requires coordinated spectrum management. The upper 6 GHz band was highlighted as a critical area for future spectrum policy alignment.
SAMENA Council Reinforces Its Role as a Regional Platform
Bocar BA, CEO and Board Member of the SAMENA Council, emphasized that hosting the summit amid current regional conditions underscores the necessity of continued dialogue and coordination. He noted that developing digital infrastructure is a “necessity that cannot be postponed,” and that the summit’s outcomes will help shape regional and international discussions on spectrum policy, AI governance, and investment in digital infrastructure.
The summit concluded by reaffirming the SAMENA Council’s role as a unifying platform for public‑private collaboration, supporting innovation, and ensuring that technological advancements translate into meaningful economic and societal value.
