IfG.CC - The Potsdam eGovernment Competence Center

The E-Government Ministerial Commission of the GCC countries comprising the ministers in charge of e-government authorities in GCC member countries is scheduled to hold its first meeting in the GCC Headquarters in Riyadh next Tuesday (13 March 2012).

GCC Secretary-General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani revealed that the first ministerial meeting of GCC e-government ministers shall discuss a number of topics pertaining to developing e-government services and aspects of joint cooperation between GCC member countries, most importantly, reviewing the ministerial resolution for establishing this commission and its major duties and domain; issuance of a joint communique from member countries regarding e-government program aimed at improving government performance, alleviation of administrative onus, improvement of quality services rendered to citizens, residents and visitors, diversification easy usage of services as well as substantial progress in joint cooperation.

Read more: GCC E-government Commission convenes in Riyadh next Tuesday

The governments in the GCC region are preparing for increasing use of social media to interact with its citizens, spread messages and gain feedback on their policies, according to an expert.

'In 2011, the world saw how social media had changed the world we live in: the instant dissemination of news, giving a voice to the masses and, in the Middle East, aiding the mobilisation of citizens in the Arab Spring,' remarked Fadi Salem, director and fellow at Dubai School of Government.

Read more: GCC govts 'turning to social media'

Harnessing the power of information technology is just one of many subjects being discussed at a two-day e-Health GCC Conference organized by Universal Conferences and Exhibitions being held at the JW Marriott in Kuwait City. Speaking with the Kuwait Times yesterday, Dr Ahmed Al-Barrak, Associate Professor of Health Informatics, Medical Informatics and Conference Chairman said their objective was to bring together healthcare providers and information technology experts to exchange information and demonstrate the market-ready applications.

"Technology is invading every place now; it is a platform where we conduct our activities. Healthcare is one of the fields and we are trying to address the challenges connected to electronic health records, telemedicine, tele-health, decision support, medication, medical errors, patient safety and security," he said.

Read more: Health goes hi-tech at GCC conference

Participants in the second e-government conference of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) concurred that this year's session was a great success. In statements following the closing ceremony, Head of the Central Agency for Information Technology Abdul-Latif Al-Sarea said that more than 30 specialized bodies have taken part in the event and 85 projects were competing on the e-government prize.

Al-Sarea expressed admiration of the constructive discussions and exchange of experience among participants. He noted that the CAIT will compile and publish a book and CD including the conference working papers due to its importance. Al-Sarea voiced gratitude for His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for his patronage of the conference and Acting Minister of Information and Communications Salem Metheeb Al-Uthayna for his attendance in the opening ceremony and visit to the exhibition held on the sidelines of the event.

Read more: GCC e-govt conference 'a great success'