عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

‘Powering the Future Toward Net Zero’ Forum Starts Sunday in Dammam

‘Powering the Future Toward Net Zero’ Forum Starts Sunday in Dammam
TT
TT

‘Powering the Future Toward Net Zero’ Forum Starts Sunday in Dammam

‘Powering the Future Toward Net Zero’ Forum Starts Sunday in Dammam

The International Forum "Powering the Future Toward Net Zero", organized by the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) in collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), GO15, and Med-TSO in Al Khobar, will be held in Dammam on October 27 under the patronage of Governor of the Eastern region Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz.
GCCIA CEO Eng. Ahmed Al Ebrahim stressed that the main sessions of the two-day forum will discuss the energy sector's strategy to achieve net-zero emissions and accelerate decarbonization efforts through global collaboration and innovation, SPA reported.
He pointed out that discussions will revolve around enhancing the regional grid to enable a reliable, affordable, and zero-emissions future. They will also highlight the role of a strong regional grid infrastructure in achieving net-zero emissions targets, showcase grid improvement technologies, and explore modern technologies, advanced planning, and operational capabilities necessary to enhance grid resilience, affordability, and market shifts essential for supporting the energy transition.
Discussions at the forum will also cover emerging technologies in AI, grid operations, and planning.
Al Ebrahim said that a variety of discussions led by experts from GCCIA, GO15, Med-TSO, and EPRI, and covering critical topics such as grid planning, market reforms, the role of AI in grid operations, and the deployment and enhancement of grid technologies will also be held during the forum.
He added that CEOs, advisors, and government representatives from the GCC, North America, Europe, and Asia will provide unique perspectives in the course of discussions, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of strategies to enable a reliable and sustainable energy transition.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

CEO of Cisco Saudi Arabia: Our Investments in the Kingdom Continue to Support Digital Transformation

The logo of US networks giant Cisco Systems is seen in front of their headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France August 6, 2022. (Reuters)
The logo of US networks giant Cisco Systems is seen in front of their headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France August 6, 2022. (Reuters)
TT
TT

CEO of Cisco Saudi Arabia: Our Investments in the Kingdom Continue to Support Digital Transformation

The logo of US networks giant Cisco Systems is seen in front of their headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France August 6, 2022. (Reuters)
The logo of US networks giant Cisco Systems is seen in front of their headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France August 6, 2022. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a strong commitment to IT infrastructure amid significant advancements in the Kingdom’s tech sector on global indices. This has positively impacted Cisco, a global leader in security and networking solutions, which has reported consistent performance in line with the opportunities available in the country and reaffirmed its decision to continue investing in Saudi Arabia to support its digital transformation initiatives.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Salman Faqeeh, CEO of Cisco Saudi Arabia, said the Kingdom showcased the strength and efficiency of its infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic, positively influencing Cisco’s operations over the past few years.

Cisco, a technology company listed on the US stock market and headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, specializes in developing, manufacturing, and selling networking devices, software, and communication equipment.

Faqeeh stated that Cisco is committed to playing a key role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation through strategic investments. In 2023, the company opened a regional office in Riyadh to strengthen its operations across the Middle East and North Africa and deepen its presence in the Kingdom. Senior executives also held high-level meetings with government and private sector leaders to solidify partnerships in the local market.

Faqeeh stressed that the company has consistently invested in programs to accelerate digital transformation, supporting the Kingdom’s efforts in key sectors and fostering an innovation ecosystem. He added that since the launch of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation Program in 2016, part of Vision 2030 aimed at enhancing digital skills and promoting innovation, Cisco has implemented more than 20 projects in critical areas such as healthcare, education, and smart cities.

Faqeeh praised the Kingdom’s achievements in digital transformation, citing its significant progress on global indices. Saudi Arabia ranked second among G20 countries in the 2024 ICT Development Index and led in cybersecurity readiness.

Boosting cybersecurity is a top priority for Saudi Arabia, particularly given the rising number of cyberattacks globally, he added. In this context, he pointed to Cisco’s efforts to provide solutions that protect data and digital infrastructure, citing a 2023 Cisco study, which revealed that 99% of surveyed organizations in the Kingdom increased their cybersecurity budgets, although 67% reported experiencing security incidents in the past year.

He also addressed challenges in artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting a recent Cisco study that found 93% of Saudi companies have AI strategies, but only 7% are fully prepared with the necessary infrastructure to implement these technologies.

Moreover, Faqeeh underscored the impact of Cisco’s Networking Academy program in Saudi Arabia, which has trained over 336,000 individuals, including more than 35% female participants—one of the highest percentages globally.

Regarding academic collaborations, he emphasized Cisco’s ongoing partnership with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), aimed at improving the educational environment and empowering academic staff and students with cutting-edge solutions.

Cisco is also committed to environmental sustainability, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Faqeeh noted the company’s focus on delivering energy-efficient technology solutions and contributing to the Kingdom’s goals for carbon neutrality.

The company will participate as a strategic sponsor in the Black Hat cybersecurity conference, set to take place in Riyadh from November 26–28. According to Faqeeh, the company aims to use this platform to strengthen collaboration with clients and partners in the Kingdom, offering innovative security solutions that protect data and facilitate the safe adoption of AI technologies.