The Higher Committee for Government Digital Transformation organized a digital readiness retreat for the leaders of the UAE government. In the presence of more than 250 government officials from 50 ministries and federal entities, with the aim of enhancing digital integration and cooperation between federal entities, highlighting pioneering digital government models, and reviewing the most prominent digital projects at the level of the UAE government.
The digital readiness retreat for the leaders of the UAE government discussed the most important initiatives that contribute to enhancing the digital readiness and competitiveness of the UAE government. Government agencies presented their latest projects in the field of digital integration and cooperation, in addition to reviewing the most important global trends in digital transformation and its role in achieving sustainability.
Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, and Chairwoman of the Higher Committee for Government Digital Transformation, said: The readiness retreat for the leaders of the UAE government confirms the importance of digital integration and interdependence between federal entities to achieve qualitative leaps in government digital transformation in accordance with the ambitious vision of the UAE government.
She indicated that the digital readiness retreat of the UAE government leaders comes in line with the objectives of the Supreme Committee for Government Digital Transformation to develop the digital system for government services, business and operations, digital harmonization between projects and digital systems in federal government entities, and raising the efficiency of their use of infrastructure and digital assets.
Her Excellency said: “Digitalization is the foundation of the future, and our bet is to achieve qualitative government achievements. Digital transformation is not limited to adopting technology only; Rather, it requires a fundamental shift in the way we work to create new business models and government systems that are more efficient and faster.”
Her Excellency added, “Technology continues to revolutionize societies and governments. We must harness the power of technology to design our future, facilitate people’s lives, consolidate our country’s economic position, and chart a better future for future generations.”
The retreat program included a session by His Excellency Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, entitled “Digitization of the Judicial System: Future Vision and Innovative Solutions.” His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Government Digital Transformation, spoke about The power of digital orientation and the promotion of the national economy based on technological innovation. Majid Al Mesmar, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and Digital Government, briefed government leaders on the superior digital system of the UAE.
Significant impact
For his part, Dr. Mohammed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, stressed that digital transformation has made a significant impact on various aspects of life, and it is important that this transformation be safe in accordance with practical policies and procedures to prevent any threats to state security. Al-Kuwaiti said, “We have a strong infrastructure and integrated work teams to fend off cyber-attacks and protect vital sectors and important data in our country. We are on the verge of modern technologies such as Blockchain, GBT Chat, and others, and from here we must be aware of how we use these technologies and work to classify data according to its confidentiality and importance, and to comply with cybersecurity standards approved by the Council of Ministers.
Al-Kuwaiti pointed out the importance of spreading the culture of cybersecurity at various levels and enhancing knowledge in dealing with these modern technologies, in order to raise efficiency and strengthen mechanisms for repelling cyber-attacks.
Digital transformation at the service of people
The government digital transformation session in serving people discussed the impact of digital transformation on improving the quality of society. Khalid Abdullah Belhoul, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the ministry employs artificial intelligence techniques in its government services.
It recently launched the Electronic Document Authentication System to simplify the authentication process for various types of documents, and allows companies and individuals to send their documents electronically without the need to submit paper documents in person, and we aim to increase the use of artificial intelligence tools in this system.
He explained that the smart mission project provides proactive and immediate support to customers through advanced analysis of data. The system identifies patterns and trends in the use of consular services, allowing the ministry to enhance the customer’s journey in obtaining service and respond to changing requirements.
Belhoul pointed out that the customer is at the heart of the service development process, and our methodology aims to listen to the customer’s pulse on a daily basis to improve services. Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the Federal Authority for Identity, Nationality, Customs and Ports Security, explained that the authority provides its services to all members of society in all stages of human life.
Where the authority conducts approximately 10 million transactions per month, which is equivalent to 345,000 operations per day, indicating that this huge amount of services cannot be provided by traditional methods, as digital transformation in services is the main pillar in providing services that are characterized by speed and efficiency, noting that the authority has Partnership with 82 government and private agencies to facilitate procedures.
Firas Al-Ramahi, Director General of the General Pension and Social Security Authority, said that the authority began in 2020 in the digital transformation through electronic connectivity with government agencies, which contributed to reducing the number of auditors by 78 percent, closing 3 service centers out of 7 centers, and facilitating digital transformation. Services for subscribed individuals and business owners from the government and private sectors, indicating that the authority will soon launch the second phase of the digital transformation to digitize most of the services it provides.
Experiences of digital pioneers
Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, said during his participation in the session “Transforming Government Business Models: Experiences from Digital Pioneers”: “The UAE has been keen to expand and invest in future sectors based on knowledge and innovation, as it is one of the main pillars supporting the new economic model.” country over the next fifty years.
In this context, the Ministry of Economy launched its strategic plan for digital transformation 2023-2026, which aims to enable the capabilities and technologies of artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain in all its services and projects provided to customers from individuals, companies and government agencies, in line with the best practices followed in this regard globally ».
He added: “The ministry’s strategy for digital transformation contributes to enhancing the digital competitiveness of the country, by providing accurate, comprehensive and immediate data on economic establishments and institutions, facilitating doing business and commercial activities, and providing innovative and proactive new services based on the latest smart technologies, in a way that supports increasing the contribution of the digital economy to The country’s gross domestic product, in a way that enhances its leading position in global competitiveness indicators, in light of the objectives of the UAE National Digital Government Strategy 2025.
Aisha Mohammed Balharfia, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for Emiratisation Affairs, and the Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Affairs, said: “The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has developed a strategy for digital transformation based on a number of axes aimed at providing value-added services to customers that are commensurate with their aspirations and needs.”
Saif Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor – Strategy, Financial Infrastructure and Digital Transformation at the Emirates Central Bank, confirmed that the bank is working to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank, to become the bank of Among the best central banks in the world, as we identified 26 global indicators, and developed an integrated plan for digital transformation to achieve His Highness’s vision.
Saif Al Dhaheri indicated that the Central Bank launched the Financial Infrastructure Transformation Program to support the financial services sector, enhance digital transactions and raise the competitiveness of the UAE. The program includes the implementation of a set of key initiatives.
The retreat program included the participation of Mohammed Al Zarouni, Deputy Director General of the Digital Government Sector at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and Digital Government, with a speech on enabling government digital transformation.
94% digitization of priority services
Mohammed bin Taliah, Head of Government Services for the UAE Government, stated that the UAE has achieved first place in the world in human-centered services, and the rate of digitization of priority services has reached 94 percent, indicating that the country aims to provide exceptional experiences and intuitive services through the optimal use of technology. .
Joe Malik, Vice President – Executive Programs in the Gulf, India and Emerging Markets at Gartner, explained 10 technological trends that will shape the features of the government sector and enable officials to accelerate the wheel of transformation, in light of preparations for the post-digital government phase, and relentless focus on achieving goals.
Ehab Fouda, General Manager of Microsoft Corporation in the Middle East, discussed the impact of sustainable government digital transformation on achieving climate neutrality 2050.
