# GSMA MWC26 Doha opens with call to align on global industry standards and close MENA's connectivity gap

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/gsma-mwc26-doha-opens-with-call-to-align-on-global-industry-standards-and-close-menas-connectivity-gap
- Published: 2026-11-08T18:17:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

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_Operators, technology leaders, policymakers and innovators gather in Doha today
for three days of exhibition, collaboration and debate on the future of connectivity
across the Middle East and North Africa_

DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — [MWC26 Doha](https://www.mwcdoha.com/),
held in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology(
MCIT), opened today at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), bringing together
connectivity ecosystem to shape the next phase of growth for a mobile economy forecast
to add [$470 billion](https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-economy/mena/)
to the Middle East and North Africa by 2030.

[MWC26 Doha officially opened](https://www.mwcdoha.com/articles/gsma-mwc26-doha-opens-with-call-to-align-on-global-industry-standards-and-close-menas-connectivity-gap)
today, in presence of His Excellency Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin
Ali Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs. His
Excellency Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information
Technology, State of Qatar delivered a welcome address.

**In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications
and Information Technology, **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."_

GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath and ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin
took to the stage for a fireside chat. Mr Badrinath set out the key priorities shaping
the region’s connected future, with a continued commitment to global standards keeping
networks and services interoperable across markets, as well as a renewed push to
extend connectivity to populations that remain offline in MENA.

**Vivek Badrinath, Director General, GSMA,** 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."_

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**Read the original article :** [GSMA MWC26 Doha opens with call to align on global industry standards and close MENA's connectivity gap ](https://www.prnasia.com/story/archive/5092076_AE92076_0?rand=184833)