https://arab.news/9fpa8
When nations emerge from conflict, the first images we see are bulldozers clearing rubble and cranes lifting steel. Rebuilding homes, schools and hospitals is essential, but peace cannot rest on bricks alone. Recovery must also strengthen trust, resilience and opportunity. That is why digital innovation must now be seen as part of the blueprint for peace.
At last week’s Diplomatic Connect in Riyadh, hosted by the Digital Cooperation Organization and the Embassy of the State of Kuwait, ambassadors, policymakers and innovators gathered to ask a vital question: How can digital tools help societies endure crises and recover stronger? The answers, drawn from real-world cases, point to a new foundation for stability.
When war struck Ukraine, officials raced to protect the state itself. Within weeks, 161 critical registers, from tax records to healthcare systems, were migrated to secure cloud environments abroad. Universities continued teaching, banks stayed open and more than 20 million citizens used the Diia smartphone app to access identity, payments and emergency benefits. Even amid bombardment, the digital backbone of the nation endured.
In Jordan, blockchain-based wallets now deliver aid transparently to more than 100,000 Syrian refugees. With no cash to steal or divert, assistance flows directly to families, preserving dignity as well as security. In Rwanda and Pakistan, secure digital identities underpin access to healthcare, welfare and education, enabling millions to rebuild their lives with confidence. These examples prove that digital resilience can make recovery faster, fairer and more inclusive.
