Monday 16 / December / 2024
Muscat: Acting with the support of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology today signed a cooperation agreement with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to establish the Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre in the Sultanate of Oman.
The new 4IR centre counts as the sixth centre of its kind that is established in the Middle East in cooperation with the World Economic Forum—the 22nd centre globally. The centre is scheduled to begin operating in the first quarter of 2025.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, and Sebastian Buckup, Head of Networks and Partnerships and Member of the Executive Committee at the WEF.
Al Shidhani said in a speech that cooperation with the WEF reflects the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment towards adopting the latest innovations and advanced technologies to drive sustainable development and achieve the goals of Oman Vision 2040.
He added that the move constitutes a step forward in the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to transfer knowledge, localize technology and consolidate Oman’s position as a regional centre for technology and innovation.
For his part, Sebastian Buckup said that the agreement opens up vistas for further cooperation between Oman and the WEF in advanced technical fields, much in line with Oman Vision 2040. He pointed out that the centre would provide opportunities for close coordination within the context of projects that enhance innovation and sustainable digital solutions to existing challenges.
The agreement aims to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in accordance with international standards and to generate benefits from the network of international experts in the digital field available at the WEF. It also aims to launch initiatives to bring together stakeholders from various sectors, including the government, the business sector and academic institutions, to discuss and cooperate in developing joint policies.
The agreement also aims to help establish a pilot environment for regulatory frameworks to enhance the mitigation of risks associated with 4IR applications. It also contributes towards guiding WEF activities in various areas of 4IR technology by actively participating in the Forum’s platforms, launching a bilateral exchange programme and facilitating participation in the WEF’s Fourth Industrial Revolution community.
