Doha:The Kingdom of Bahrain hosted a reception on the sidelines of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 in Doha, Qatar, as part of its initiative to enhance international cooperation in telecommunications and information technology.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the event was attended by prominent figures including Ambassador Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla, Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva; Muna Al Sayed Ali Al Hashemi, Chairperson of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA); and Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Telecommunications at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, along with officials and representatives from participating delegations.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa emphasized Bahrain's dedication to international cooperation in the development of digital infrastructure and the promotion of a more inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital future. He acknowledged Qatar's role in hosting the conference and organizing the event. Shaikh Ahmed also highlighted Bahrain's advancements in telecommunications and fibre optic networks, as well as the development of a competitive regulatory environment aimed at improving service quality and supporting digital transformation for economic growth.
In his address, Shaikh Ahmed urged ITU member states to back Bahrain's bid for re-election to the ITU Council for 2027-2030 and endorsed the candidacy of Adel Mohamed Darwish, ITU Regional Director for the Arab States, for the position of ITU Deputy Secretary-General. He reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to contributing to the ITU's mission and enhancing cooperation with member states.
Additionally, the reception featured speeches by Muna Al Hashemi, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, and Adel Darwish, Bahrain's candidate for Deputy Secretary-General. The event concluded with an official dinner, which allowed delegates to exchange views on the future of telecommunications and international digital cooperation.