Manama: The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), was honored for its Digital Policies project at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2022, held by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in Geneva. With sustainability as one of its objectives, the event is the largest annual gathering of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) community members.
iGA Chief Executive, Mohammed Ali Al Qaed congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on this recognition for Bahrain, which highlighted the Digital Policies project as a pioneering initiative at the Forum. He praised HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s vision and directives towards advancing digital transformation and building a digital culture and society. The iGA, following the formation of the relevant committees, was tasked with drafting the policies as per directives of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communications Technology (SCICT) and the Cabinet’s approval. The launch of the policies affirmed the Kingdom’s digital readiness and ability to keep pace with technological developments.
Al Qaed said that this global recognition, which adds to the iGA’s growing list of accomplishments, was made possible thanks to the support of Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, who helped the authority implement government directives and draft the policies in record time. He thanked the participating committees and Bahraini talents for their role in helping the Kingdom make this achievement.
The Digital Policies include a set of procedures that regulate digital transformation at various government entities, establish organizational foundations for providing eServices, and support creativity in digital fields. The policies where about Digital-First Policy, which reaffirms the Kingdom’s commitment to providing new eServices while digitizing traditional ones. It showcased the Digital Government as a Right Policy, which stipulates that government entities which provide services to the public must adopt digital solutions and offer eServices to beneficiaries, and the Once Only Data Policy, which eliminates the need to present additional documents when conducting transactions in cases were beneficiaries’ data is already available at government organizations and can be accessed through biometric fingerprinting.
Al Qaed participated in a number of sessions at the Forum, which covered topics such as ICT in entertainment, and flexibility in cooperating with the WSIS to advance the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In parallel he also held a meeting with ITU Secretary-General, Houlin Zhao to discuss opportunities for cooperation and learn about the latest developments in ICT.
The iGA has won several awards and accolades on the local, regional, and international levels, including more than 20 for its IT projects and initiatives, over 13 regional awards and 11 local ones.
ITU, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Development Program, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) co-organized the Forum.
Al Qaed held a number of meetings in parallel to the forum with ministers, senior officials, representatives of international organizations such as the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), and experts. ITU, which held the WSIS Forum 2021 via videoconference, honored the winning nations for their projects in 2021 and 2022. The summit enhances the exchange of information and best practices and helps forge partnerships between stakeholders with the aim of achieving the SDGs.
