His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah attended the ceremony, held at the Marina Hotel, on behalf of HH the Amir.
His Highness the Crown Prince was received at the venue by Board of Trustees’ Chairperson Sheikha Aydah Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and members of the board.
National Assembly Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun, former house speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi, and Deputy Chief of National Security Apparatus Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah were among the senior officials attending.
The ceremony was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, and top state officials.
Addressing the gathering, Sheikha Aydah stressed “information identity” as “the” field of competition and excellence among aspiring nations today, noting this is the guiding notion for all prize activities aiming at furthering sustainable social development. Realizing that this is a most suitable vessel for inevitable human interaction and interdependence, the prize shifted from local to international scope for candidates and initiatives.
It is also befitting and an honor that the prize is managed by a host of volunteer experienced specialized figures, which stresses and brings together the priorities of social partnership and seeing to future aspirations.
“The panel and those in the field of informatics are most grateful for the great care and support and encouragement by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and National Guard Chief and patron of the prize His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah,” she remarked.
Winners
Sheikha Aydah also addressed the winners of this year’s honors, and said their accomplishments merit great pride and wished them the best and expressed eagerness to see them accomplish even more for the great interest of humanity.
ICANN President and CEO Rod Beckstrom for his part said it was very fitting that Kuwait host such event, a country in the forefront in allowing internet access and use for its citizens in the Arabic speaking parts of the world. The ceremony, he stressed, is in essence recognition of the creativity in the field of information technology.
The prize is another initiative to Kuwait’s credit in this field, he stressed, and ICANN is most proud of its
selection for recognition by the judging panel.
The internet is the greatest means of communication of our times, and is the biggest reserve of humanity’s history … And in a very short period of time, the internet changed from a mere luxury to an essential tool in everyday activities around the world … Already affecting every person on the planet
through its use in relation to management of power, transport, and other vital services, the internet would in no time be used directly by all across the world.
He noted new technologies spring up every day, with new devices and new concepts, and the world struggles to keep up. However, he added, there is only two percent Arabic content on the internet at present. This is despite the fact that over five percent of the world’s population and over 3.8 percent of internet users worldwide speak the language.
Still, he pointed out Arabic is the fastest growing language online, surpassing the growth of both English and German. There is also an ongoing effort by 2,500 volunteers across the Middle East working on an Arabic internet glossary. Domain names in Arabic, he said, would bring even greater potential for growth and contribution, and would introduce revolutionary change in how internet is used in the Arab world and beyond, the expert said.
Addressing the event patron His Highness the Amir and the Crown Prince present on his behalf, Beckstrom said recognition of the internet as a power and tool for economic growth, innovation, and advancement was most prudent, and ICANN pledges to support all efforts to keep it as such.
