Digital Government Forum In Riyadh Recognises Leaders And Entities In Digital Transformation

The third edition of the Digital Government Forum, organised by the Digital Government Authority in Riyadh, commenced recently. The event, themed "Our Future Now," gathered 400 government bodies, over 3,000 decision-makers, and numerous local and international experts. More than 100 companies and entrepreneurs also participated, highlighting the growing interest in digital government initiatives.

Running alongside the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) from December 15 to 19, 2024, in Riyadh, this forum emphasises digital government success stories. It encourages experience sharing and partnerships while exploring challenges and future trends. The event also showcases Saudi Arabia's leadership in digital government.

Four panel discussions will feature experts from various countries. These discussions will address misinformation, sustainable digital futures, digital efficiency, trust in electronic processes through digital identity, and the impact of underfunding on digital initiatives.

A ceremony at the forum honoured the 2024 Digital Government Award Winners. The awards aim to inspire government entities to adopt top local and global standards in their digital transformation efforts. The Saudi Post's National Short Address service was recognised as the best digital service.

The Presidency of State Security's project on registering security seizures won for best use of emerging technologies. Dr. Osama Alswailem from King Faisal Specialist Hospital was named best digital leader. Arwa Aldawish from the Ministry of Transport received recognition as the best promising employee.

Initiatives and Launches

The Ministry of Interior's Absher assistant service was awarded for best initiative in digital inclusion. Meanwhile, the User Experience Lab at the National Center for Government Resource Systems received recognition for its initiative in digital participation. Companies qualified to conduct digital government businesses were announced during the forum.

Several services and platforms aimed at enhancing user experience were launched by various government entities. These initiatives align with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to optimise digital government performance.

Digital Transformation Index Results

The authority revealed results from the 2024 Digital Transformation Index during the forum. This index measures annual performance growth towards achieving an integrated digital government. The latest results show a significant increase, with an overall index score reaching 87.14%. Twenty government bodies have advanced to the innovation stage.

This year's forum witnessed increased attendance due to its overlap with the global IGF event. It attracted both local and international decision-makers interested in digital governance advancements within Saudi Arabia.

The Digital Government Forum serves as a platform to highlight achievements in digital governance. It presents success stories from both local and international contexts while empowering leaders within the digital community to connect and share experiences.

With inputs from SPA