H.E. Eng. Mohamed Ben Amor, Director-General of the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organization (AICTO), delivered a keynote address at the Global Youth Innovation Salon in Chengdu, China, focusing on “The Digital Silk Road and the Arab Digital Market.” He presented a strategic vision for strengthening integration among the Arab world’s 22 national markets and building a more connected and competitive regional digital ecosystem.
The Salon was organized by the National Business Daily Think Tank, with support from the Global Youth Development Alliance (GYDA), Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), the Thai Artificial Intelligence Association (AIAT),
the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), Earthna Center, and the Sichuan Academy of Artificial Intelligence. It was held under the theme “A City for Global Youth: The Chengdu Answer to Digital Multilateralism.”
In his keynote address, H.E. Eng. Mohamed Ben Amor emphasized the importance of moving beyond fragmented regulatory frameworks and digital policies towards greater coordination and integration. He highlighted the need to facilitate cross-border cooperation and expand growth opportunities for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), underscoring AICTO’s role in promoting common digital policies and strengthening Arab cooperation in this field.
He also outlined a framework for Arab–Chinese digital cooperation based on three key pillars: digital infrastructure; digital trade and SME empowerment; and knowledge, innovation and responsible artificial intelligence. The framework emphasizes knowledge exchange, skills development, data security, and the advancement of Arabic-language content and AI models.
In this regard, the Director-General presented a proposed roadmap encompassing the establishment of a joint AICTO–China coordination mechanism, the identification of cooperation priorities, the launch of pilot e-commerce initiatives, and enhanced collaboration on responsible AI.
The Salon’s closing ceremony witnessed the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding involving AICTO, the Global Youth Development Alliance (GYDA), the Thai Artificial Intelligence Association (AIAT), and the National Business Daily Think Tank. H.E. Eng. Mohamed Ben Amor was also appointed as a member of the GYDA Advisory Committee, marking another step towards strengthening institutional cooperation and international partnerships.
Earlier that morning, the Director-General conducted field visits to key technological and industrial facilities in Chengdu. At the Zongheng Pengfei technology hub, he explored the latest innovations in industrial unmanned aerial vehicles and the low-altitude economy, including their applications in smart urban governance, logistics, and emergency rescue operations. He also visited the Tongwei solar manufacturing facility in Shuangliu, where he learned about smart manufacturing technologies for photovoltaic solar cells in fourth-generation automated factories and their contribution to the green energy transition and sustainable urban development.
AICTO’s participation in the Salon reflects its commitment to expanding international partnerships and strengthening Arab–Chinese cooperation in support of digital economy development, innovation, and the Arab region’s engagement with global technological advancements.