ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and certification authority of the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) program in the Gulf region has urged for increased adoption of new information technology initiatives to boost access to government information and services which will lead to efficient governance in the Gulf region.
A recent United Nations report ranks the GCC region's e-governance readiness level at an approximate 50 per cent, which is far below the 91 per cent scored by the index leader, United States. The study also highlights the challenges the region faces in the efficient and effective implementation of e-government systems.
That is the only way governments can expect to encourage the use of e-government services, online literacy and access to information, said Dubai-based International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) GCC Foundation director general Jamil Ezzo.
Read more: GCC countries: Appeal for cheap Internet services
Upon finalizing their meetings, the ministers responsible for civil service authorities in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries formed a technical work team to handle the ministers' recommendations to the GCC secretariat office to issue and implement necessary resolutions.
Read more: GCC ministers of civil service authorities finalize meetings in UAE
He was speaking after a meeting of the GCC civil service and administrative development ministers held in Abu Dhabi at Emirates Palace Hotel.
“There will be many positive changes that the public will see in government departments at the federal level,” he said, answering a question by Khaleej Times.
Read more: GCC countries: Govt depts to show positive changes in public dealings
ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and certification authority of the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) programme in the Gulf region called for further dissemination of IT literacy that would allow greater sectors of society access to online e-government services.
Read more: GCC e-governance readiness index shows progress but highlights areas of concern