In a move signaling Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global digital health policy, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement was finalized during the WHO Regional Tech Forum, which Ithra hosted—marking the first time the high-level gathering has been held in the Middle East.
The two-day forum, held November 22-23, 2025, and organized by Ithra’s Digital Well-being Program ‘Sync’ and the WHO Foundation, brought together over 30 global tech companies and experts. The focus was on critical digital age issues, including artificial intelligence, health misinformation, and the pursuit of digital well-being.
The newly signed MoU aims to leverage the partnership to raise global awareness of WHO’s scientific guidelines on digital health through education and responsible communication. This formalizes a collaborative effort to position the Kingdom as a central hub for shaping the future of digital balance.
Leadership Emphasizes Human-Centric Technology
In his opening address, Ithra’s Acting Director, Musab Al-Saaran, framed the collaboration as a necessary step to anchor technology in human values. “Through our collaboration with WHO, we take an important step toward enhancing digital balance, strengthening trust in digital content, and addressing emerging challenges,” he stated.
The forum also featured remarks from Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, who highlighted the synergy between national initiatives and global health goals. “By investing in our youth, we are not only supporting competitive excellence but also cementing a digital future grounded in responsibility, digital health, and positive values,” the Prince said.
Support came from the highest levels of WHO, with Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus affirming the importance of the partnership with Saudi Arabia in a recorded message. Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, added that the forum was a “pivotal moment” for developing solutions that are “technologically effective but also ethically grounded.”
From Dialogue to Action: Launch of Saudi-Led Task Forces
The partnership moved quickly from principles to practice, with the launch of two concrete task forces on the forum’s second day.
- The first, “Gaming for Community Connection and Well-being,” is a partnership between the Saudi Esports Federation, Sync, and WHO. It will explore the positive role of digital gaming in fostering human connection and supporting mental and physical health.
- The second, “Health Misinformation and Digital Trust,” convened with the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST), will focus on developing mechanisms to combat health misinformation and propose tech-driven solutions to protect public trust and mental well-being.
Dr. Fahad Al-Beyahi, Head of the Sync Initiative, called the collaboration a “turning point,” moving “from dialogue to impactful action.” Valérie Boulet, Chief Development Officer at the WHO Foundation, underscored the core mission: “Digital balance has become an essential part of public health.”
The event solidifies Saudi Arabia’s role as a key player in building an international framework for a safer and healthier digital ecosystem.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essaafi-ITHRA)
