Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, inaugurated the seventh Arab Information and Communication Technology Conference (Arab ICT Conference 2024).
The two-day conference was organised by the Bahrain Society of Engineers in cooperation with the ICT Committee of the Federation of Arab Engineers under the theme “Digital Transformation for Sustainable Infrastructure”.
The deputy prime minister emphasised the importance of infrastructure sustainability through utilizing modern technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the quality and efficiency of projects, in line with the comprehensive development process, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He pointed out that the conference represents an Arab platform to exchange knowledge and expertise among the participating specialists, which contributes to enhancing the ability to employ digital development and direct it towards providing a sustainable infrastructure for countries and peoples in the region.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah called for the necessity of unifying Arab efforts to create a system capable of employing digital transformation that stimulates innovation and provides a better balance between economic, environmental and social needs.
He expressed his thanks to the Bahrain Society of Engineers (BSE) and its partners from inside and outside the kingdom for their efforts in organising the event, wishing the conference participants success in reaching great results and coming up with recommendations that would contribute to increasing reliance on technology and providing an interconnected environment that allows interaction among various engineering sectors.
Dr. Raida Al Alawi, BSE President, expressed, on behalf of all the BSE affiliates, sincere thanks to the deputy prime minister for inaugurating the conference, appreciating his constant support for the Society’s various initiatives aimed at advancing the engineering profession.
In her speech during the opening session of the conference, Dr. Al Alawi affirmed the Society’s keenness, since its founding, to participate effectively in the activities of the Federation of Arab Engineers.
She pointed out that the seventh edition of the conference is of great importance, as digital transformation is considered a gateway to a new world of challenges and opportunities in light of smart cities. She affirmed that integration between ICT and varius engineering sectors is essential for establishing an integrated system that ensures building a sustainable and effective infrastructurre.
Professor Adel Ibrahim Shehazeh Al Hadithi, Secretary-General of the Federation of Arab Engineers, said that choosing Bahrain had been chosen to host the headquarters of the Federation’s ICT Committee thanks to its keenness to promote knowledge and science, as well as enhance performance to the highest levels in all fields.
He praised the existing cooperation between the committee and the Bahrain Society of Engineers.
Al Hadithi emphasised the significance of choosing the conference’s theme, given the urgent need to keep up with the current developments, challenges and competitive environment faced in the expansion of various activities, in addition to the increase in human resources and projects.
Then, the deputy prime minister honoured the conference’s sponsors, including government agencies, companies and individuals.
BNA(R)
