The presidency was won during the session between March 28 and April 1, 2022 at the UN headquarters in Geneva.

Saudi Arabia's win reflects its effective role in international organizations and its cumulative expertise in dealing with international issues in this field, as well as its effective contributions to enhancing the digital infrastructure for developing countries through utilizing its resources for the international community.

This is in addition to its entrepreneurship in the communications and information technology sector at the regional level and its advanced ranking among G20 countries in terms of the market value.

During the session — which was held in the presence of a big number of senior officials from governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, and regional and international organizations — participants reviewed several issues, mainly the fourth industrial revolution, utilizing science, technology and innovation for the sustainable civil development in the post-pandemic world.

This is in addition to reviewing progress made in implementing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society and following up on these outcomes at the regional and international levels.

The commission — which has 43 member states — was established in 1992 with the aim of offering advice to the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council regarding issues related to science, technology and their impacts on developments and developing policies in developing countries, preparing recommendations and steering principles in this regard inside the UN system.

This is in addition to its responsibility to periodically follow up on implementing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society.

Saudi Arabia's win to preside over the commission for the first time since its establishment in 1992 would further enhance the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's regional and international leadership status and is part of endeavors in the commission work.