LISBON, Nov 12: The State of Kuwait showcased its pivotal role in leading the Arab digital transformation, along with its ambitious youth initiatives and national innovation agenda, at the second edition of the Arab Technology Forum (Meet ArabTech) held in Lisbon on Monday.

Kuwait’s Ambassador to Portugal, Hamad Al-Hazim, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that Kuwait’s participation in the event — organized as part of the Web Summit technology conference — underscored its genuine contribution to the global dialogue on the future of technology, strengthening its presence and influence within the international digital landscape.

Ambassador Al-Hazim explained that Kuwait’s involvement in the forum reflected its long-standing commitment to supporting innovation and its vision of technology as a fundamental pillar of economic and social development. He added that Kuwait continues to nurture a new generation of talent capable of competing in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and cloud computing.

The envoy noted that the Meet ArabTech Forum serves as an ideal platform to bolster cooperation between Arab and European private sectors and open new horizons for joint projects in technology and AI. He further emphasized the significant role of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Lisbon in ensuring a strong and organized Arab presence at this prominent international event.

Al-Hazim highlighted the vast potential of Arab countries, particularly Kuwait, to showcase their human and institutional capabilities, positioning them as key partners in shaping the future of global technology. He affirmed the Embassy’s close coordination with representatives of Kuwait’s private sector, startups, and entrepreneurs participating in the Web Summit, encouraging their active engagement in initiatives that promote cooperation and investment with European counterparts.

The ambassador also revealed that preparations are underway for the third edition of the Arab Technology Forum next November, with expanded Kuwaiti participation and a dedicated session featuring leading national experts in digital technology and artificial intelligence.

Al-Hazim stressed that Kuwait plans to present its pioneering digital transformation experience, particularly through the “Sahel” e-government application, which allows citizens and residents to complete official transactions conveniently via smartphones, reducing the need for in-person visits to government offices.

On bilateral cooperation, the ambassador noted that digital innovation remains one of the most promising areas between Kuwait and Portugal, as both countries share a common vision of promoting digital transformation and a knowledge-based economy. He pointed out that Portugal stands as a European leader in innovation and startup development, while Kuwait continues to advance its “Kuwait Vision 2035” to diversify its economy — opening new avenues for partnerships between both nations’ public and private sectors.

Former Minister of State for Communications, Youth, and National Assembly Affairs, Dawood Marafi, represented the Kuwaiti private sector at the forum. In his keynote address, Marafi emphasized that “Kuwait constitutes a leading regional platform for developing and exporting artificial intelligence solutions, thanks to its strategic location, modern infrastructure, forward-looking legislation, and digitally skilled youth — all of which translate the goals of Kuwait Vision 2035.”

He added that Kuwait has, in recent years, aligned real investments with its growing pool of digital talent through national skill development programs conducted in collaboration with global technology leaders such as Google Cloud, Microsoft, and Boeing. These initiatives, Marafi noted, are closely tied to Kuwait’s strategic vision and reflect a broader Gulf commitment to building local capabilities and designing systems rather than merely using existing applications.

The Arab Technology Forum (Meet ArabTech) is held annually as part of the three-day Web Summit in Lisbon. The event brings together technology experts, media representatives, government officials, innovators, and investors to discuss emerging global tech trends and explore new avenues for collaboration and partnership.