Saudi Arabia was able to recycle more than 100,000 electronic devices to reduce their environmental damage as part of an effort to build a sustainable digital future that supports the efficient use of resources.
A recent report by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, a copy of which was reviewed by Asharq Al-Awsat, showed the Kingdom’s efforts in harnessing modern technologies and creating innovative business models that contribute to building a sustainable future.
These efforts are in line with Saudi Arabia’s digital sustainability strategy, which seeks to promote circular digital economy initiatives and develop regulations to reduce electronic waste in three countries.
At the 28th Conference of the Parties, the International Telecommunication Union and more than 40 partners, including governments, companies and United Nations agencies, launched the Green Digital Action Initiative to promote digital initiatives.
The Saudi Communications Authority led the efforts in the digital economy, one of the initiative’s six tracks, which demonstrates the importance of cooperation between government and industry to fill the gaps in electronic waste management for the sake of a renewable economy.
The Authority launched a set of tools to develop digital sustainability strategies in cooperation with the Digital Cooperation Organization, which includes five detailed steps, starting with raising awareness, achieving best practices, developing the strategy, promoting coordination with relevant stakeholders and finally starting the implementation phase.
These tools demonstrate the Kingdom’s commitment to contributing to the green economy and exchanging experiences with the international community to ensure the adoption of best practices to reach sustainable societies.
The report also showed that $649 billion was earmarked to support the adoption of environmental, social and corporate governance practices in 2021, an increase of 227 percent from 2019.
Saudi Arabia’s continued investments in its digital infrastructure over the past years qualify the Kingdom to be a leader in digital sustainability commitments globally, the report underlined, adding that the Communications, Space and Technology Commission is prepared to become one of the most advanced fifth-generation digital regulatory bodies at the international level.
