Agenda

H.E. Mr. Sidali Zerrouki is the current Minister of Post and Telecommunications of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. A telecom executive, innovation strategist, and serial entrepreneur, he has held several high-level CxO positions across the ICT and digital sectors, bringing over 20 years of experience at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and public leadership.

Before assuming ministerial responsibilities, Minister Zerrouki was a key architect of Algeria’s startup ecosystem, where he played a transformative role in scaling national innovation platforms, launching funding mechanisms, and boosting regional competitiveness. As a founding force behind several strategic initiatives, he redefined the entrepreneurial landscape in Algeria, paving the way for a generation of innovators and digital creators.

Minister Zerrouki is an IT engineer by training, holding a Master’s degree from Sorbonne University and an MBA from Paris Dauphine University. His academic and operational background allows him to bridge technological insight with policy execution, positioning Algeria as a regional leader in telecom modernization, digital inclusion, and sovereign infrastructure.

Under his leadership, Algeria has accelerated the rollout of national fiber-optic coverage, initiated 5G deployment, established AI and cybersecurity skill centers, and introduced regulatory frameworks for digital trust and data protection. Minister Zerrouki is currently leading Algeria’s strategic engagement in regional and multilateral digital cooperation, including its active contribution to shaping the African Union’s Digital Transformation Agenda and advancing the principles of the WSIS process toward inclusive, secure, and future-ready digital societies.

Mayra Arevich Marín is a Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Minister of Communications of the Republic of Cuba.

She previously served as Executive President of the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA).

She held numerous positions within the company. She was Head of the Metropolitan Regional Management and Supervision Center, responsible for ensuring the management of communications networks in the city of Havana.

She served as Deputy Manager of the Regional Management Supervision Center and later as Branch Manager of the Havana City Network, before being promoted to Vice President of the City of Havana.

She holds a Master's degree in Telematics Engineering from the Technological University of Havana "José Antonio Echevarría" and a Diploma in Public Administration from the Higher School of State and Government Cadres.

She was born in 1966 in Havana, Cuba. She has one daughter.

President, General Authority for Communications and Informatics – Libya 
His Excellency Eng. Abdulbaset Al-Baour is the President of the General Authority for 
Communications and Informatics (GACI) of Libya, where he leads the national digital 
transformation agenda, telecom sector development, and the modernization of digital 
government services. He also chairs several national high-level committees, including: 

• the National Committee for Digital Transformation, 

• the National Strategy Committee for Artificial Intelligence, 

• the National Data Governance Committee, and

 
• the National Telecommunications Strategy Committee. 

His Excellency oversees major national platforms and strategic programs, including the National 
Digital Identity (LY-DNID), the National Data Exchange Platform (LY-NDEX), the National Open 
Data Initiative, and the development of Libya’s cloud, data center, and cybersecurity ecosystem. 
At the regional and global levels, Eng. Al-Baour represents Libya in key international forums 
such as the ITU, WSIS, AI for Good, UN ESCWA, Smart Africa, and the African Union digital 
initiatives. He is actively engaged in shaping Libya’s position in emerging technologies, including 
AI governance, 5G development, spectrum management, and digital economy growth. 
His Excellency holds extensive experience in ICT policy-making, digital infrastructure 
development, and public-sector innovation, and is contributing to global discussions on the 
transition from the information society to the intelligent society.

Es ingeniero en Ciencias de la Computación y complementó su formación con posgrados 
en Administración de Negocios y posee una especialización Políticas Tecnológicas de la 
Universidad de Washington; con amplia trayectoria en la gestión de proyectos 
tecnológicos y empresariales. 

A lo largo de su carrera, ha ocupado roles clave en diversas organizaciones, destacando 
su labor y participando activamente en diversas organizaciones de gobernanza de Internet 
como ICANN, IETF, NANOG, ARIN y otras, así como miembro de la Junta Directiva de 
Racsa y presidente fundador de ISOC Costa Rica. 

Además, ha ocupado varios puestos ejecutivos, incluidos Gerente de TI, director de TI y 
Juntas Directiva, en empresas transnacionales. Su influencia se extiende a Latinoamérica, 
brindando asesoramiento a gobiernos latinoamericanos sobre el establecimiento de 
Puntos de Intercambio de Internet (IXP) y sirviendo como consultor de políticas de 
telecomunicaciones, fue coautor del primer Libro de interconexión patrocinado por La 
Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF).

Johanesa ANDRIAMIHAJA
Directeur Général p.i – ARTEC Madagascar

À la tête de l’Autorité de Régulation des Technologies de Communication (ARTEC), Johanesa ANDRIAMIHAJA pilote la transformation du secteur numérique malgache dans un contexte d’accélération technologique et d’ouverture des marchés.

Manager stratégique, il œuvre à concilier innovation, exigences règlementaires et développement économique avec une ambition claire : faire du numérique un levier structurant de croissance, d’inclusion et de souveraineté pour Madagascar.

Son action s’articule autour de priorités majeures :

·       Structurer le développement du secteur à travers des feuilles de route favorisant la gouvernance et l’efficacité opérationnelle de l’ARTEC.

·       Développer l’influence de Madagascar, en nouant des partenariats stratégiques avec les instances régionales et internationales (UAT, GSMA)

·       Moderniser la régulation, en apportant des réponses concrètes et adaptées aux mutations rapides du numérique

Reconnu pour son approche pragmatique et orientée résultats, il s’attache à bâtir un écosystème numérique résilient, inclusif et compétitif au service du développement durable du pays. 

Mr. Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu has been the Chairman of the Board and President of the 
Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) of the Republic of Türkiye since 
August 2018. He was re-appointed for a second term in August 2022 after completing his first 4
year term in this position. 
He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1975. He is an Electrical and Electronic Engineer graduated 
from Eastern Mediterranean University. 
Mr. Karagözoğlu worked as a software engineer at Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration 
(ISKI) of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) from 2002 to 2004. Between 2004 and 
2016, he held various managerial positions at BELBIM, a technology company of IMM. 
He served as the Adviser to the Chairman and Board Member of BTK before his appointment.

Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist is a seasoned technology executive and business leader who 
became President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Internet Corporation for 
Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) on 9 December 2024. With more than 30 years 
of experience in engineering and business development of Internet service providers, 
Internet Exchange Points, and global network carriers, Lindqvist has dedicated his 
career to advancing the stability, security, and accessibility of the Internet. 
Prior to joining ICANN, Lindqvist served as CEO of the London Internet Exchange 
(LINX), a leading operator of worldwide interconnection services, from 2019 to 2024. 
Prior to this, he was CEO of Netnod from 2002 to 2015. Lindqvist also chaired the 
European Internet Exchange Association (Euro-IX) from 2003 to 2020, which 
underscores his long-standing leadership in Internet infrastructure organizations. 
Lindqvist has been a leading voice in Internet governance (IG) and technical 
development. He served on the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) and led working 
groups within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and RIPE, where his efforts 
helped shape critical Internet standards and policies. Additionally, he has advised the 
Swedish government on IG, broadband policy, and other key areas, fostering 
collaboration between public and private sectors. 
Lindqvist studied Computer Science at Uppsala University, Sweden, and holds an 
Executive MBA from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in 
Lausanne, Switzerland.