The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) in Doha, Qatar, recently hosted a national workshop in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) focused on collaborative digital regulation in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The workshop aimed to enhance Qatar’s regulatory environment by adhering to international standards, advancing cooperation and collaborative governance, utilizing new tools for ICT regulation, and facilitating digital transformation in the country. Government officials, representatives from ministries, officials from regulatory bodies, and telecommunication service providers participated in insightful discussions on agile approaches to digital policy, regulation, and governance.
Participants gained insights into flexible strategies for managing the evolving ICT landscape, covered the ITU Unified Framework of Generations of Regulation and regulatory metrics such as the ICT Regulatory Tracker and the G5 Benchmark, and deep dive into Qatar’s legal, policy, and governance frameworks for digital transformation. Eng Hussain Abdulla Salatt, Public Relations and Communication Manager at CRA, highlighted the importance of the partnership with ITU in supporting Qatar’s position in the global digital economy. He emphasized how the evaluation of regulatory frameworks supports Qatar’s National Vision and Digital Agenda 2030, as well as the National Development Strategy, by enhancing the digital economy and supporting digital transformation across various sectors.
Following the workshop, a national review of digital collaborative regulation and digital transformation will begin, assessing the setup of the telecommunications and IT sector and the foundations for digital transformation across the economy and society. The review will evaluate key policies and programs, joint policies across sectors, and collaborative practices among institutions in order to formulate recommendations to improve the regulatory environment and governance practices towards achieving an inclusive and sustainable digital transformation and enhancing the local digital economy. The analysis will also invite feedback from a wide range of national stakeholders from government and the private sector.
Since 2020, ITU has conducted similar national reviews in 15 countries, focusing on regulatory frameworks, institutional structures, and collaborative digital governance. These reviews help decision-makers understand the role of collaboration and governance, use new tools to regulate ICT and digital markets, and address the rapidly changing trends in digital policy, regulation, and governance. The collaboration between CRA and ITU in Qatar demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the regulatory environment in the ICT sector and supporting digital transformation in the country, aligning with Qatar’s national vision and digital agenda for the future.
Overall, the workshop and upcoming national review highlight the importance of collaborative digital regulation in advancing Qatar’s ICT sector, enhancing the regulatory environment, and supporting digital transformation across various sectors. By utilizing international standards, new tools for regulation, and flexible strategies for governance, Qatar aims to strengthen its position in the global digital economy and achieve inclusive and sustainable digital transformation. The partnership between CRA and ITU reflects a commitment to leveraging collaboration and governance to address the challenges and opportunities of the digital world, paving the way for a thriving digital economy in Qatar.
