The Fifth Telecommunications Forum
30 September 2026 · VIP Main Stage – Grand VIP Hall, Baghdad International Fair
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The Fifth Telecommunications Forum is the flagship programme of Day One at ITEX IRAQ 2026, focused on strengthening Iraq’s telecommunications market and positioning the country for the next phase of digital infrastructure development. Under the theme “From Local Integration to International Leadership,” the forum brings together senior government officials, regulators, telecom operators, infrastructure providers, technology companies, and international experts to address market efficiency, 4G and 5G expansion, national internet traffic, data centre capacity, subsea cables, international transit, local technology content, digital capabilities, and the development of Iraq’s broader communications ecosystem. The forum combines the official opening programme with four main sessions covering telecommunications market efficiency, local content and technology markets, the Iraqi Hardware Summit, and digital capacity development.
Agenda
Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Ceremony09:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Official Opening Ceremony of ITEX IRAQ 2026 and Its Forums
The official opening ceremony of ITEX IRAQ 2026, bringing together senior government officials, institutional leaders, strategic partners, and industry representatives to launch the exhibition and its main forum programme.
VIP Main Stage – Grand VIP Hall
ITEX IRAQ 2026opening ceremonyofficial openinggovernmenttelecommunicationsdigital transformationexhibitionforums
Mr. Ali Falih Al-ZaidiPrime Minister of Iraq — Office of the Prime Minister
Eng. Mustafa SanadMinister of Communications of the Republic of Iraq — Ministry of Communications – Republic of Iraq
Baligh Mithqal Abu KalalChief Executive Officer of the Communications and Media Commission of Iraq — Communications and Media Commission of Iraq
Eng.Thulfiqar Hoshi Al-MaqsoosiPresident of the Iraqi Engineers Union — Iraqi Engineers Union
Panel11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Enhancing the Efficiency of Iraq’s Telecommunications Market
This high-level panel brings together government leaders, regulators, telecommunications operators, infrastructure providers, and industry experts to examine the current state and future development of Iraq’s telecommunications market. The discussion will address the size and efficiency of the telecommunications sector, nationwide 4G coverage, the development of 5G services, data centre capacity, internet traffic through the national exchange, and Iraq’s growing role in subsea cable and international transit connectivity. The session aims to identify practical opportunities to strengthen infrastructure, improve service quality, increase network capacity, enhance market competitiveness, and position Iraq as a more connected regional digital hub.
VIP Main Stage – Grand VIP Hall
telecommunicationsIraq telecom market4G5Gdata centersinternet trafficsubsea cablestransit
- Eng. Mustafa Sanad
Minister of Communications of the Republic of Iraq — Ministry of Communications – Republic of Iraq
- Baligh Mithqal Abu Kalal
Chief Executive Officer of the Communications and Media Commission of Iraq — Communications and Media Commission of Iraq
Dr. Blasim SalimChairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Communications and Media Commission of Iraq — Communications and Media Commission of Iraq
Eng. Ali Yaseen DawoodDirector General of the Informatics and Telecommunications Public Company — Informatics and Telecommunications Public Company – Ministry of Communications, Republic of Iraq
Panel02:00 PM – 03:00 PM
Strengthening Local Content and the Technology Market
A high-level panel on strengthening Iraq’s local technology ecosystem, attracting investment, supporting regional headquarters, and accelerating emerging technologies and cloud adoption.
VIP Main Stage – Grand VIP Hall
local contenttechnology marketinvestmentregional headquartersemerging technologiescloud computingtechnology cities
- Dr. Blasim Salim
Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Communications and Media Commission of Iraq — Communications and Media Commission of Iraq
Eng. Bassam Salem Al-ZaidiAdvisor to the Minister of Communications — MOC - Republic of Iraq
Mr. Adel Akab HusseinPresident of the Iraqi Federation of Industries — Iraqi Federation of Industries
Panel03:30 PM – 04:30 PM
The Importance of Digital Indicators for International Organizations in the Telecommunications Sector
A panel discussion exploring the importance of digital indicators and international standards in developing Iraq’s telecommunications sector, improving its global rankings, and strengthening investment in digital infrastructure.
VIP Main Stage – Grand VIP Hall
telecommunicationsdigital indicatorsinternational standardsITUdigital infrastructuretelecom regulationinvestmentIraq
Dr. Ammar Mohammed Nouri HadiDirector General of the Planning Department — Ministry of Communications – Republic of Iraq
Panel06:00 PM – 07:30 PM
Developing Digital Capabilities
A high-level panel on building Iraq’s digital workforce, expanding ICT skills, supporting AI education, and strengthening national digital capabilities.
VIP Main Stage – Grand VIP Hall
digital skillsICT jobslocalizationAI educationtrainingdigital capacitytechnology communitiesintellectual property
- Eng. Mustafa Sanad
Minister of Communications of the Republic of Iraq — Ministry of Communications – Republic of Iraq
Prof. Dr. Haider Abd DhahdDeputy Minister for Scientific Research — MOHESR – Republic of Iraq
Dr. Huda Sajjad MahmoudDeputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs — Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs – Republic of Iraq
Dr. Ali Nasser AlkhwaildiPresident of the Iraqi Association for Information and Communications Technology — Iraqi Association for Information and Communications Technology (IAICT)
Prof. Dr. Salah Al-ShammariChairman of the Board of Trustees — Al-Mamoun University
Dr. Maged GhoneimaFounder & General Partner, M-Empire Angels — M-Empire Angels
