The activities of the 2nd edition of the "Digital Government Forum", organized by the Digital Government Authority, were launched today under the slogan "Our Future is Now", with the participation of several government agencies, and in the presence of a number of Their Highnesses and Excellencies ministers, and a group of experts, specialists and decision makers in the field of digital government at the local and international levels.

The Forum was opened with a speech given by H.E. Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Alsuwaiyan, the Governor of Digital Government Authority, entitled: "Our Future Now", in which he welcomed the attendees from agencies, experts and specialists in the field of digital government. He stressed that this forum reflects the keenness of the wise leadership of the Saudi Arabia to encourage and enable government agencies to accelerate the process of digital transformation, enhance the mental image of the digital government, and increase cooperation and partnerships with local and international stakeholders, to achieve the people's welfare and the United Nations sustainable development goals in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The first day of the Forum witnessed several dialogue sessions and workshops, in which a number of their Highnesses and Excellencies and a group of local and international specialists in the field of digital government participated, the most prominent of which was a session entitled: "Artificial Intelligence Applications in Digital Government", in which His Highness Prince Dr. Bandar bin Abdullah bin Mishari Al Saud, Assistant Minister of Interior for Technical Affairs, His Excellency the President of the Board of Grievances, Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed bin Al Yousef, and His Excellency the CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Dr. Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey, participated. The participants reviewed the importance of artificial intelligence in improving government services and facilitating communication with beneficiaries, in addition to discussing the challenges facing the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies in the government sector.

Subsequently, the first new package of new digital products and services for government agencies was launched and reviewed, in addition to holding [6] workshops, namely: "How will artificial intelligence change the future", "What's next for digital government?", "The role of the ESCAPE change management model in achieving transformation in the digital age", "The best ways to provide technical assets", and "Adopting the Concept of the Life Journeys Program in the General Department of Traffic".

The Assistant Secretary for Economic and Development Affairs at the General Secretariat of the GCC, Mr. Khalid bin Ali Al Sunaidi, participated with a speech entitled: "Digital cooperation among the GCC", in which he praised the distinguished organization of this forum, which achieved remarkable success in its first and second editions, and was the focus of attention and praise from various authorities concerned with digital government around the world.

Moreover, Al Sunaidi stressed that the forum reflects positively on the provision of highly reliable and effective digital government services that are characterized by speed and ease and drive the growth of the economy of the GCC.

Thereafter, the winners of the GCC Digital Government Award in its fifth edition were announced, through the six award categories, namely:

1. Best digital inclusion initiative. 
2. Best use of artificial intelligence.
3. Best open data initiative.
4. Best government digital service.
5. Best digital community engagement.
6. Best women's digital empowerment initiative.

In a dialogue session entitled: "Data Integration to Create Value", a number of Their Excellencies in the Gulf countries discussed the impacts and opportunities surrounding the adoption of the principles of free flow of data with trust as a prerequisite for data integration and value creation for integration among the GCC countries, in which His Excellency the CEO of the Information and eGovernment Authority in Bahraini, Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Qaed, His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in the Sultanate of Oman, Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, His Excellency the Acting Director General of the Central Agency for Information Technology in Kuwait, Dr. Ammar bin Hassan Al Husseini, His Excellency Deputy Director General of the Information and Digital Government Sector in the UAE, Eng. Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Zarouni, and His Excellency the Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Government Affairs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in the State of Qatar, Miss. Mashael bint Ali Al Hammadi, participated. 

Furthermore, the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs at the United Nations, Li Junhua, participated in the activities of the first day of the forum with a speech, in which he reviewed the impact of digital transformation in achieving the sustainable development goals.

In a dialogue session entitled: "The Role of Financial Institutions in Bridging the Digital Divide", His Excellency the President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, Dr. Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al Jasser, reviewed the role of financial institutions in bridging the digital divide, in addition to the launch of the Islamic Development Bank's digital inclusion strategy, and its expected impact on the member states of the Islamic Development Bank.

The Forum witnessed the discussion of successful experiences in the field of digital government in a dialogue session entitled: "Enhancing international cooperation and transferring pioneering experiences", which addressed the latest trends in digital government and the opportunities and challenges that determine its path, in addition to enhancing global cooperation in digital governance. The session was moderated by Mr. Youssef Al Barqawi, with the participation of the Head of the E-Government Institute at the United Nations University, Dr. Delfina Suarez, Deputy Government Chief Digital Technology Officer, Singapore Smart Nation and Digital Government Office, Dr. He Ruimin, and Director of the UN Digital Development Practice for the Africa and Middle East Region, Dr. Michel Ruggie. The head of the UN E-government Branch, Vincenzo Aquaro, spoke about the prospects for digital government globally in a speech entitled: "The Future of Digital Government.”

In a keynote speech entitled: "Contribution of the Private Sector to Developing Public Services", Thiqah Company CEO, Ayman Al Falaj, reviewed the ongoing efforts of the public and private sectors to enrich the beneficiary's experience of digital services.

The last dialogue session entitled: "Foreseeing the Digital Future: The Role of the Private Sector", discussed the impact of technologies on the future, an analysis of the expected digital transformations, and how companies and the private sector can harness their capabilities to enhance technological development and innovation, with the participation of the Director General of Google Cloud, Bader bin Hassan Al Madi, , CEO of the cloud computing company, Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Bakr, , CEO of Saudi Azm Company, Ali bin Mohammed Al Ballaa, Vice President for Sectors Azm Company, Nasser bin Zaid Al Mishari, and Vice President for Digital Transformation and Sustainability - Microsoft Saudi Arabia, Zainab bint Al Amin Al-Shanqiti.

This year's edition of the forum included the participation of the "Saudi Digital Exhibition" to display digital products and solutions and to review the most prominent success stories of 20 technology companies in the field of digital transformation from the private sector in Saudi Arabia, in addition to several launches, signing agreements and presentations. The first day concluded with honoring the success partners and sponsors in appreciation of their efforts in supporting and making the second edition of the Digital Government Forum a success.

Important links:
Click here to view the 1st edition of the "Digital Government Forum 2022"