The Iraqi Information and Communications Technology Association organizes a specialized symposium on fifth-generation technologies and the prospects for digital transformation in Iraq.
The Iraqi Association for Information and Communications Technology, in cooperation with the National Security Advisory, organized a specialized symposium titled “Fifth Generation Technologies: Economic Impact, Challenges, and Solutions”, under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Communications, Engineer Mustafa Sanaa, with wide participation from representatives of government institutions, the private sector, specialized companies, as well as a select group of experts and stakeholders in the communications and information technology sector.
The symposium featured extensive discussions addressing the importance of fifth-generation technologies and their role in enhancing digital development in Iraq, along with a review of the most prominent challenges and opportunities associated with their launch in the upcoming period.
In his opening speech, the President of the Iraqi Association for Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Ali Nasser Al-Khuwaidi, affirmed that launching fifth-generation services by 2027 represents an economic and strategic necessity, not merely a technical option, pointing to the readiness of Iraq's infrastructure to accommodate this technology, and stressing that the project's success requires institutional integration and a genuine partnership between the public and private sectors.
For his part, His Excellency the Minister of Communications, Engineer Mustafa Sanaa, explained that the ministry is working to expand communications infrastructure in the coming period to keep pace with the growing demand for international and local internet capacities, and to provide the necessary capabilities for operating fifth-generation networks. He also announced the imminent launch of the national license for mobile phones using fifth-generation technology during the next year, while simultaneously affirming Iraq's pursuit of membership in the Council of the International Telecommunication Union during the ITU-PP2026 conference scheduled to be held in Doha, by garnering international support for this nomination.
In turn, the representative of the National Security Advisor, Mr. Ali Nasser Al-Bunyan, emphasized the importance of fifth-generation networks in supporting national security and consolidating societal stability, due to the advanced digital infrastructure they provide that contributes to the development of various sectors.
The Regional Director for Arab States at the International Telecommunication Union, Mr. Adel Darwish, also expressed the Union's support for Iraq's efforts in launching fifth-generation technologies and building an integrated digital system that contributes to enhancing the digital economy, while also affirming the Arab system's support for Iraq's nomination in the International Telecommunication Union elections scheduled to be held in Doha.
The symposium included a discussion session moderated by the Association's Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser Al-Jawhar, with the participation of Consulting Engineer Bassam Salem Al-Zaidi, Advisor to the Minister of Communications; Engineer Mohammed Al-Gharbawi, Deputy Head of the Executive Body of the Media and Communications Commission; Dr. Jwan Fouad Masoum, Advisor for the Transport and Communications Sector at the Council of Advisors; and MP Dr. Maha Mahmoud Al-Alwani, member of the Transport, Communications, and Governance Committee in the House of Representatives.
The session contributed to presenting the visions and positions of various relevant parties regarding the launch of fifth-generation technologies, reviewing their economic, service, and developmental implications, as well as discussing the most prominent challenges and ways to address them to ensure the success of the national project.
Dr. Mahdi Al-Alaq concluded the symposium's proceedings by reviewing the key outcomes and recommendations reached by the sessions, presenting an executive summary directed at decision-makers to support the digital transformation process in Iraq.
This symposium is part of a series of scientific and specialized events organized by the Iraqi Association for Information and Communications Technology, aimed at enhancing dialogue between government institutions and the private sector, unifying visions regarding the development of the communications and information technology sector, and arriving at practical recommendations that contribute to accelerating the growth of the digital economy and supporting sustainable development efforts in Iraq.
