Digital Participation In Government Decision-Making Forum Showcases UAE's Commitment To Community Engagement

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) recently hosted the 'Digital Participation in Government Decision-Making Forum' at Dubai's Etihad Museum. This event, organised with various government and international partners, focused on using digital participation as a strategic tool for policymaking. It aimed to enhance government services and foster integration between decision-makers and the community through innovative digital platforms.

Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, highlighted the forum's significance. He stated, "The forum is a strategic platform, demonstrating the UAE’s vision that engaging society in government decision-making is fundamental to both policy development and shaping the future of government services." The event aligns with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and UAE Centennial 2071 objectives.

AlKhoori emphasised that digital transformation is a priority for the UAE. He noted that it goes beyond technical changes to redefine government-society relationships. Digital participation plays a crucial role in this transformation by allowing individuals to express their views. This input helps develop more impactful public policies.

Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director-General of TDRA, explained that digital participation is more than just a technical tool. He described it as a national culture and an integrated process. This process starts with transparent information sharing, continues with digital consultations, and ends with implementing policies based on participation outcomes.

Khalid Al Nuaimi from the Federal Youth Authority stressed the importance of digital participation for youth empowerment. He said it enables young people to contribute ideas and visions, aligning government policies with their aspirations. This approach allows youth to play an active role in development.

Al Nuaimi added that UAE youth are eager to turn digital interaction into tangible achievements. Their commitment reflects leadership's belief that investing in youth leads to a sustainable future. The 'Step Towards Work' programme on the Jahiz platform exemplifies how digital tools can enhance youth readiness.

Sessions Focused on Digital Participation

The forum included three main sessions. The first session explored global trends in digital participation and its role in government transformation. Speakers discussed enabling platforms and legal frameworks necessary for effective citizen engagement.

The second session examined how digital ideas translate into real policies. It covered topics like using artificial intelligence for big data analysis and measuring impact to build institutional trust. The third session focused on inclusive digital partnerships involving seniors and youth.

International Experience and Future Goals

AlKhoori concluded by highlighting international experiences showing successful governments integrate community participation into decision-making processes. "In the UAE, we are not only adopting these concepts but also aspire to lead them globally," he said, aiming to offer a pioneering Emirati model centred on digital governance.

Aisha Ahmed Yousuf from the Ministry of Community Empowerment noted that the forum fosters innovation by transforming digital knowledge into development pillars. She emphasised collaboration between institutions as key to equipping people with sustainable tools for future readiness.

The 'Share.UAE' platform launched in 2023 has facilitated over 1,186 opportunities for digital participation so far. Hackathon UAE has attracted more than 10,000 participants since 2018, resulting in numerous innovative projects contributing directly to policy formulation or service development.

With inputs from WAM