Under the slogan 'Creating the Future of Abu Dhabi Today' Abu Dhabi Executive Council hosts strategy implementation symposium

The symposium is organised in line with and towards achieving Abu Dhabi Government's vision in positioning itself amongst the top five best performing governments worldwide, in addition to its larger goal of achieving a sustainable government. A group of Abu Dhabi government departments and agencies will be taking part in this symposium which will be held at Al Raha Beach (Abu Dhabi Grand Ballroom).

The seminar, which will start at 10:00 o'clock and go on to 5:30 pm, will address a selection of programme benefits over the past two years including the development of the economic vision which aimed at several objectives such as promoting and accelerating the process of economic growth whilst also ensuring economic sustainability in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The second objective is to broaden the number of projects and enterprises in Abu Dhabi; the third and final objective is to enhance productivity through the policy agenda designed to include the full range of government activities with a focus on economic and social development; human resources development; the infrastructure and environment; and a whole raft of government initiatives including legislative reform, the e-government initiative, restructuring of government and the participation of women in the social and economic life of Abu Dhabi.

On his part, Hamid Al Safi Al Hashemi, Manager of the Performance Evaluation & Control Department in the GSEC, commented that these seminars enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of strategic planning, particularly with regard to monitoring their implementation.

He also pointed out that the policy agenda for Abu Dhabi has over the recent past provided a framework for developing strategic plans and future initiatives within all governmental organisations, as well as the establishment of a set of contractual relationships between the GSEC and government bodies aimed at consolidating and ensuring their commitment to the policy agenda through implementing strategic plans and ensuring that they are closely managed and monitored.

It should be noted that the first phase of strategic planning began in 2007 with the participation of 27 entities. Currently the number of entities covered by the unified framework has reached 31 authorities and agencies. Work has already started to issue quarterly performance reports, whilst the e-system will be implemented early next year.

Future steps aimed at through this GSEC seminar include providing ongoing guidance and support to government bodies in the implementation programmes of their own strategies and staff training, as well as providing tools and systems, and knowledge management.

On the occasion of the seminar, Dr Norton expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi for its persistence and tireless efforts to achieve global leadership. He added: "I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi. The existence of such a team is very encouraging; a team which is working hard to achieve pioneering results in the levels of excellence demanded by the citizens of Abu Dhabi."

He added that the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi works collectively to provide its staff with the knowledge and the tools to enable them to meet the challenges that will face the Emirate in the coming years. Efficiency and excellence in strategy implementation are no longer issues that concern private companies. Government entities, now more than ever before, are also responsible for excellence in performance and for providing the high level of standards demanded by their citizens.

It is noteworthy that Dr Norton has many contributions in the field of strategy implementation, and he is also the man who created balanced scorecards which had a major impact in promoting the strategy and performance models both worldwide and within the Palladium Group itself.