ICT Sustainability Report

ICT And Sustainability

Digital has shown us that it is the largest social equalizer and economic multiplier.

Eng. Abdullah Al-swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology

Our strategic goal at CITC is to deliver the strongest infrastructure to our most ambitious projects shaping the Kingdom’s bright future.

Dr. Mohammed Al-tamimi, Governor of Communication & Information Technology Commission

I am pleased that the ICT ecosystem in Saudi Arabia is advancing rapidly and, as this report demonstrates, has placed sustainability at its core.

Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General of International Telecommunication Union

ICT and Sustainability in Saudi Arabia

CITC, in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), is proud to introduce a first-of-its-kind sustainability report in Saudi Arabia

The report assesses the connecting points between the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and the role of the ICT sector in achieving these ambitions.

The report also takes a closer look at initiatives by key players in Saudi Arabia’s sustainable transformation drive, including:

C.I.R.C.L.E

As a fifth-generation digital regulator, CITC is playing a key role in advancing the digital and sustainable transformation of Saudi Arabia.

As CITC, we are contributing to the SDGs through our sustainability roadmap, titled C.I.R.C.L.E:

Circular Economy

Improving management of e-waste and promoting a circular ICT sector.

Leading Cities

Leveraging ICT and postal solutions to build smart, green, and sustainable cities & communities.

Equality & Inclusion

Promoting inclusive digital economies for all.

CITC’s C.I.R.C.L.E. Commitment

Cutting Edge Infrastructure

Maintaining accessible, reliable, resilient and secure ICT infrastructure.

Innovation

Leveraging technology innovation to support economic diversification.

Renewable Energy

Create closer links between ICT and postal sectors and green energy solutions.

Sustainability in CITC’s 2023 Strategy

CITC’s efforts to be a key contributor to the sustainable evolution of Saudi Arabia’s economy is highlighted through its 2019-2023 Strategy, which centers on four pillars.

Consumer protection

Investment promotion and competition

Digital transformation

Achieving regulatory excellence

Sustainability in CITC’s 2023 Strategy

Through the ICT Sustainability Report, CITC explores critical opportunities and solutions to ensure the protection of our natural environment and social wellbeing.

Increase

Increase
national digital coverage including underserved communities

Prioritize

Prioritize
investment in technology innovation supporting progress on SDGs

Encourage

Encourage
ICT companies to commit to Science Based Targets (SBT)

Maximize

Maximize
recycling Waste Electrical and Electronic equipment (WEEE)

Ensure

Ensure
that ICT runs on renewable energy in smart cities

Enable

Enable
ICT labor diversification and inclusion

The ICT Sustainability Report explores sustainability opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the work being done by CITC. It is introduced by H.E. Abdullah Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and Dr Mohammed Altamimi, Governor of CITC.

Top sustainability topics explored in the report

Vision 2030

Innovation, economic growth, meaningful employment, and strong partnerships, all form part of Vision 2030’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP) and are key drivers of achieving the SDGs. Developing tech-focused SMEs relying on strong digital infrastructure will be catalysts of the green transformation.

Saudi Green Initiative

The Saudi Green Initiative is an inclusive approach to sustainably transform Saudi Arabia, focusing on reducing greenhouse-gas (GTG) emissions, greening the Kingdom, and protecting the nation’s land and sea, much of which will be accomplished through data and tech-driven solutions.

MCIT Gender Equality

MCIT’s comprehensive gender equality program focuses on developing the digital capabilities of Saudi women and empowering women to be valuable participants in Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of Vision 2030 and SDG goals. The program won the 2020 EQUALS in Tech Award and the 2021 WSIS Prize from ITU to train over 20,000 women in ‘skills of the future’.

Giga-Projects

Saudi Arabia is a global leader in building smart and sustainable cities defining humanity’s future. NEOM, one of the most ambitious urban projects of its kind, incorporates technology with green, eco-conscious living. NEOM will be powered by 100% renewable energy, housing will be future-proof and sustainable, and biodiversity will be optimally protected.