GT Summit to debate IT strategy for Arab governments

The three-day event which is due to take place on 3-5 September 2006 at the JW Marriot Hotel in Dubai, will focus on the theme of 'Integrated Secure Services to Government, Business & Citizens' and will provide a platform for senior IT decision-makers in the public sector throughout the Middle East to debate cohesive and practical strategies for the common good of the Arab world.

Information & communications technology (ICT) indicators in the Arab region are still weak, (penetration for landlines, mobile phones and internet access are still only at 10%, 24% and 8% respectively), way behind the developed world. Therefore the UNDP introduced a new regional initiative namely, 'Information & Communities Technologies for Development in the Arab Region' (ICTDAR).

Covering all Arab countries, ICTDAR's main aim is to assist Arab States in harnessing ICT to reduce poverty, address digital divides and improve both public administration performance and private sector hold and expansion. As an integral part of their objectives, an E-governance programme was launched to provide policy advice to Arab government, establish a regional E-governance Institute (REGI) and setting up an E-governance portal to provide knowledge resources and tools as well as regulatory and legal information.

Khaled Eid, Managing Director, The World Development Forum commented, "Part of ICTDAR's strategy is to foster dialogue between leading IT players in Arab government and other key stakeholders. After aligning our aims and objectives with ICTDAR a strategic partnership was formed between the UNDP and GT Summit 2006 to help support this vital regional initiative."

The GT Summit is an invitation-only event and will target, high-level government ministerial officials in communications, commerce, education, finance, health, infrastructure and public works. Leading figures in other public sector or NGOs will also be sought such as chambers of commerce, municipalities, the judiciary, civil defence, utilities and tourism.

The conference programme will address the most challenging issues faced by regional governments today. Strategy related topics will embrace E-participation, E-government, IT governance, risk and compliance management, business process management and resources capacity planning. IT related subjects will cover the actual dynamics such as smart IT infrastructures, enterprise architecture, integrated service delivery channels, connecting communities through Digital Cities and information security, access, collaboration and integration. Brainstorming sessions will held to allow delegates to share their issues, concerns and potential solutions, in an interactive format.

"Our main objective for GT Summit is to identify emerging trends and technological opportunities, so that unified government strategies can be formed that will benefit the whole of the region. By convening influential IT leaders from across the MENA region on an annual basis, it would be possible to establish a Pan-Arab government think tank to turn vision into reality," concluded Eid.