As Prepared for Delivery

Your Excellency Minister Eng. Raafat Hindi, Minister of Communication and Information Technology
Esteemed partners and colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure and an honor to join you today on the occasion of Safer Internet Day 2026 and to witness the launch of the Digital Citizenship and Online Protection Platform, Wa3i.net. This initiative reflects Egypt’s continued leadership in advancing an inclusive andresponsible digital transformation.

Allow me first to commend the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology for its leadership and continued commitment to advancing Egypt’s digital transformation agenda.

At the United Nations Development Programme, we are proud of our strong and long-standing partnership with the ministry – particularly through the Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development project.

Together, we are working to ensure that digital transformation contributes directly to better opportunities and improved lives and livelihoods for all Egyptians towards sustainable development.

Through this collaboration, we have worked together to harness information communication technology to improve services, promote economic growth, empower vulnerable communities, protect our environment, strengthen partnerships, and build national capacities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Our shared objective is clear: Digital transformation is not only about infrastructure or platforms; it is about people. It is about ensuring that every citizen has the skills, awareness, and protection needed to thrive in the digital age.

The launch of Wa3i.net comes at a particularly important moment. As digital services expand and artificial intelligence and emerging technologies become more embedded in everyday life, digital awareness and online protection are no longer optional. They are foundational. A digitally connected society must also be a digitally responsible and protected society.

The cooperation protocol being signed today between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood reflects a strong national commitment to safeguarding children and strengthening digital protection frameworks. Such collaboration reinforces the principle that digital progress must be accompanied by accountability and protection.

At UNDP, we approach digital transformation as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development. We support countries in building digital ecosystems that expand access, reduce inequalities, and ensure that innovation benefits those who are often left behind. Initiatives like Wa3i.net are essential because they invest in awareness, skills, and responsible digital engagement, particularly for young people and vulnerable groups.

As Egypt continues its journey toward a knowledge-based society, we remain committed to supporting national efforts to harness digital innovation and emerging technologies for sustainable development. Our partnership is grounded in a shared vision of a digital future that empowers citizens, protects communities, and advances the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Thank you.