Delivered by: HE Majed Al Mesmar, Director General of Telecommunications And Digital Government Regulatory Authority

Madame President,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

Allow me first to extend the UAE’s gratitude to you for convening this CRUCIAL review.

The UAE aligns itself with the statement made by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China.

We are here today to determine the trajectory of our shared digital future.

The UAE commends the facilitators from, Kenya and Albania, and all the contributing stakeholders with whom we have been glad to work with to shape the WSIS+20 Outcome Document.

For twenty years, the UAE has viewed the WSIS vision not just as a global framework… but as a national blueprint.

UAE has been working hand in hand with the ITU to implement this vision.

Madame President,

WSIS is a success story. Today, 74% of the world is online.

However… we must confront the reality that 2.2 BILLION people remain offline.

In an era where connectivity is a prerequisite for dignity… this is not just a digital divide… it is a DEVELOPMENT divide.

The UAE has acted as a living lab for this challenge.

By treating telecommunications as the backbone of our transformation, we have submitted over 450 national projects to the WSIS Stocktaking database… and are honored to have received over 60 awards.

These achievements reflect our philosophy: that government must be a platform for empowerment.

Looking ahead, we welcome the synergy between the WSIS+20 Outcome and the Global Digital Compact.

To support this, the UAE will continue to:

• Share our experience through the Government Experience Exchange Programme…
• Champion the Action Lines that link to the SDGs, WSIS Forum is an excellent example of that.
• And work closely with you to ensure connectivity is safe and meaningful for all.

Madame President,

The technology of the next twenty years will move faster than the last twenty.

The UAE remains committed to building a future that is inclusive… and leaves NO ONE behind.

Thank you.