As prepared for Delivery

Your Excellency Dr. Amr Talaat (Minister of Communications and Information Technology)

Mr. Tarek Shabaka (CEO of Mideast Communication Systems) 

Distinguished Guests,

·     It is a pleasure to be here with all of you today at the opening of the Future of Data Centers Summit.

·     This summit is an excellent opportunity to see and hear first-hand what the next generation of technologies offers.

·     What especially interests me, of course, is how these innovations in AI, Internet of Things and Big Data can support smart and sustainable development.

·     Digital transformation can help countries achieve significant advances in key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and industry; and financial services, generating new types of jobs and new training needs, and capacities to drive sustainable economic growth.

·     And Egypt has made tremendous efforts in exploring ways to harness this potential of digital transformation and digital innovations to become the main enabler of sustainable development, including through its investment in ICT infrastructure, human capital and innovation.

·     These efforts reflect Egypt’s strong commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

·      In line with this commitment, Egypt has formulated a comprehensive vision to harness the power of digital technology to help transform the country into a more inclusive and fair society that leaves no one behind.  

·     UNDP is very proud to be a longstanding partner in supporting Egypt in these efforts, and we will continue to help you advance the 2030 Agenda.

·     We share your understanding and hope that digital technologies can drive new ways of working and thinking while opening-up opportunities never previously imagined.

·     This is why UNDP has developed its own Global Digital Strategy for 2022–2025. This strategy is already guiding our efforts to support countries in building more inclusive and sustainable digital societies.

·     We are now further embedding digital technologies across all our development programmes, empowering digital ecosystems and equipping ourselves with state-of-the-art knowledge and tools to support our partners at this rapid change.

·     In Egypt, UNDP is particularly proud of our strategic partnership with the Ministry of ICT, which is working to turn Egypt’s digital strategy into reality.

·     Our joint projects are helping to make the most out of ICT tools in serving the most vulnerable communities – women, youth and people with disabilities.

·     UNDP also supports Egypt’s efforts to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, learning and development. For example, in 2021 we worked with the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center to build the capacities of more than 160,000 entrepreneurs, and supporting the establishment of more than 200 start-ups. And here we are today, collaborating with the private sector in supporting the launch of FDC Stars to help reshape tech innovation for startups in the marketplace.

·     We are looking forward to engaging even more closely with global and local businesses, academics, researchers, young people and policymakers to foster collaboration around the responsible and sustainable use of technology.

·     By working together, we can all do more to harness the power of digital technology for a more sustainable future and a better quality of life for all citizens of Egypt and to ensure a digital future in which no one is left behind.

·     Thank you.