Welcome to the United Nations
The Regional Kick-off Workshop serves as the launch for a critical component of the UAE-UN Cross-border Digital Cooperation Framework. Organized by UN DESA/DPIDG in collaboration with UN ESCWA and Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), the event brings together senior policymakers and regulators from Western Asia and North Africa. The primary goal is to strengthen institutional capacity for implementing digital regulatory sandboxes, which allow governments to experiment with emerging technologies like AI and digital identity within safe, controlled environments.
These sandboxes offer an adaptive governance approach to manage the risks associated with emerging technologies, including ethics, data protection, and cybersecurity, before full-scale deployment. By integrating policy experimentation into broader digital-government reforms, countries can accelerate innovation while building public trust and institutional resilience. This initiative emphasizes a context-specific approach, utilizing diagnostic tools like the UN E-Government Survey to inform the design of regulatory environments tailored to national needs.
The three-day workshop will utilize strategic dialogues, country breakouts, and peer-learning exchanges to bridge the gap between technical assessments and actionable policy. Participation is inclusive, featuring Director-level representatives from digital authorities, sectoral regulators, and international partners. Ultimately, this collaborative effort aims to foster regional networks for regulatory innovation, contributing directly to Sustainable Development Goals regarding economic growth, infrastructure, and effective institutions.