ITU World Telecom Forum 2012 discusses sustainable development and disaster management initiatives

The Bahraini delegation was headed by Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Al Amer, TRA's Chairman, with the participation of Mr. Mohamed Hamad Bubashait, TRA's General Director, Mr. Mohammed Tayeb Mahmood, Director of Technical and Operations, Mr. Musab Mohammed Abdulla, Acting Manager of Information and Communication Services, and Mr. Abdulrahman Hisham Al Sowaidi, Radio Regulatory Engineer.

The Forum aims to promote the high standing of the ITU as an agency of the United Nations, which is the leading agency in the field of ICT, providing a unique platform for discussion between ICT leaders and experts in the world, and also an opportunity to express a wide range of national, regional and international visions, while focusing on the current essential transition in the industry and its implications for the telecommunications industry and the world in general.

Commenting on the TRA delegation's participation in the Forum, Dr. Mohammed Al Amer said: "The telecommunications sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain has made considerable progress through its achievements and always aims to keep pace with the latest global developments in the field of telecommunications services." He also commented on TRA's participation in this global forum, stating that: "The Kingdom of Bahrain is viewed globally as a modern and advanced model in the field of telecommunications services provided to the consumer. Bahrain's occupation of the first place regarding progress in the Information and communications technology field demonstrates that Bahrain is taking the right steps towards the leadership approach, while its occupation of the15th place internationally in terms of price competitiveness is also an important achievement."

The Forum, which was held over five days, included a high-level summit of the leaders, and key speeches, talks and round-table meetings at the ministerial level, in addition to several discussions on some of the hottest topics in the ICT industry, including addressing the challenges facing the ICT industry to ensure global communication through the provision of maximum fairness and transparency, the exploration of the challenges facing the main established players in the expansion of services, and the adoption of new business models in markets characterized by competitiveness and rapid pace of change. Also on the agenda are the opportunities and challenges emerging and the new dimensions of the industry, with a focus on privacy, service delivery, issues related to spectrum and cyber security, smart applications for mobile money, e-health and smart services and societies, as well as the envisioned future of the industry.