Connecting the world and beyond

Regional Director's corner

​​Adel Mohamed Darwish - Director, ITU Regional Office for the Arab States

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Adel Darwish - Regional DIrector for the arab regionAdel Mohamed Darwish is the Regional Director for the Arab States at the International Telecommunication Union, where he leads regional engagement on connectivity, digital development, and ICT policy across 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. 

With over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications and ICT sector, Adel brings deep expertise in market and competition policy, international regulatory cooperation, and digital transformation. His career spans both the public and private sectors, giving him a practical, solutions-oriented perspective on how policy, technology, and markets intersect. 

Before joining ITU in 2020, Adel served as Head of International Relations at Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, where he represented the Kingdom in regional and global fora and led bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives. His work included sustained engagement with organizations such as GSMA, ICANN, the League of Arab States, the GCC Council, and Arab regulatory networks, as well as collaboration with multiple UN agencies. 

A committed bridge-builder, Adel has played leadership roles in major regional and international conferences, including in the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC 2014 and 2017) and the Plenipotentiary Conference (PP 2014 and 2018), where he is known for aligning diverse stakeholders, advancing consensus, and translating dialogue into practical outcomes. Between 2009 and 2020, he chaired the GCC Council Roaming Working Group, helping deliver a landmark reduction in roaming rates across the region; an achievement with lasting impact for consumers and operators alike. 

Earlier in his career, Adel held senior roles in market regulation, business development, and product marketing within Bahrain’s telecom sector, building a strong foundation in both commercial strategy and public interest regulation. 

A follower of servant leadership, Adel is an advocate for accountability, institutional effectiveness, and regional cooperation. A computer engineer at heart, he values efficient processes, evidence-based decision-making, and sustainable digital ecosystems that leave a lasting legacy for future generations. 

​​

ITU INTERVIEWS @ WTDC-25: Adel Mohamed Darwish, ITU Regional Office for the Arab States