Doha, November 08 (QNA) - In the presence of HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, the second edition of MWC26 Doha opened today at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).

Organised by the GSMA in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the conference is being held under the theme "The IQ Era". The opening ceremony brought together ministers, senior officials, and leaders from the telecommunications and technology sectors from around the world. 

In his opening remarks, HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, welcomed participating delegations and emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation to keep pace with the changes reshaping the telecommunications and technology sectors. 

HE said: "The second edition of MWC Doha takes place at a time when the requirements of telecommunications infrastructure are undergoing fundamental change. As artificial intelligence advances towards executing tasks through intelligent agents, the need for more resilient networks and advanced computing capabilities continues to grow. At the same time, global challenges underscore the importance of diversifying connectivity routes and ensuring service continuity. 

These developments are creating new priorities for the telecommunications sector, including the development of 6G networks, greater integration between terrestrial, submarine and satellite networks, and expanded access to computing capabilities. 

These issues are central to discussions at MWC Doha, providing an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among telecommunications operators, technology companies and investors, and accelerate the development of practical solutions that support the growth of the digital economy. In Qatar, we continue to invest in these areas under the Digital Agenda 2030, strengthening our national capabilities and creating new opportunities for innovation and investment." 

Following the opening ceremony, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al-Thani, accompanied by HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, and a number of ministers, toured the accompanying exhibition, including the Qatar Pavilion. During the tour, the delegation was briefed on national projects and initiatives demonstrating how advanced technologies and AI are being used to improve services and advance digital transformation across various sectors. 

The opening day also featured a fireside chat between Director General of the GSMA, Vivek Badrinath, and Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin. The discussion explored the future of connectivity in the Middle East and North Africa, the importance of global standards in ensuring interoperability across networks and services, and efforts to expand internet adoption and narrow the digital divide. 

Director General of the GSMA, Vivek Badrinath, said: “Progress only counts if everyone shares in it. That means two things: global standards that keep networks, services and devices working across borders, and a concerted effort to connect the people who are still offline. Over the next three days, MWC Doha, alongside its co-location with ITU’s PP-26, will bring together the policy makers, innovators and industry leaders setting these standards and building these networks, to help make this vision a reality. As the ITU Plenipotentiary continues, we are confident that the enhanced dialog which our co-location has allowed will feed into the important conversations taking place.” 

Coinciding with the opening of MWC26 Doha, the GSMA released two new reports examining the mobile economy and the development of 5G networks across the Middle East and North Africa. The reports highlight the economic opportunities offered by the sector, alongside the challenges of expanding connectivity and achieving sustainable returns on infrastructure investments. 

The Mobile Economy MENA 2026 report revealed that mobile technologies and services contributed approximately US$380 billion to the region's economy in 2025, equivalent to 5.8 percent of GDP. This contribution is projected to reach US$470 billion by 2030. 

In its second report, 5G Monetisation MENA, the GSMA reported that 17 of the region's 24 markets had launched commercial 5G services by September 2026. The number of 5G connections is expected to increase from 67 million in 2025 to approximately 350 million by 2030. 

This year's edition of MWC holds particular significance as it coincides with the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), hosted by Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), on behalf of the State of Qatar from 9 to 27 November 2026. The two conferences bring together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders, creating broader opportunities for cooperation among stakeholders involved in shaping digital policies and advancing digital technologies. 

MWC26 Doha continues through 10 November, featuring a series of specialised sessions and discussions, an accompanying exhibition, and announcements of new initiatives and partnerships in telecommunications, artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Key sessions will be livestreamed, with the latest conference developments shared through its official media channels. (QNA)