Gargash Emphasises Importance of Sharjah s Role in Development of Government Communication Mechanisms

His Excellency Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affair United Arab Emirates, has reiterated the significant role played by Sharjah and the Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) in developing the mechanisms of government communication. In the run-up to the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) that is set to take place in February at the Expo Centre Sharjah, Dr Gargash noted that these mechanisms would play a big part in building a distinct matrix for government communication at a global level.

Dr Gargash's comments came during his visit to the SMC. Also present were Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre and Osama Samra, Director of Sharjah Media Centre. Dr Gargash was briefed on the SMC's preparations to organize the upcoming edition IGCF. SMC shared interesting details of the forum with Dr Gargash, including the agenda, list of confirmed speakers, and local and international participants from the industry who are expected to attend. Dr Gargash also reviewed the SMC's present programmes and future development plans.

HE Sheikh Sultan acknowledged the importance of Dr Gargash's visit in supporting the programmes and objectives of the centre that are in line with the vision of the UAE leadership and complimented the strategy of the federal government communication plan in the country. HE stressed SMC's commitment towards promoting government communication programmes in the emirate in order to improve their performance and efficiency, following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Sharjah Media Centre also outlined the recommendations of the previous edition of the Government Communication Forum which had been implemented, most notably the establishment of the Government Communication Unit. This move, together with a range of new initiatives that aimed to step up communication in vital sectors marks a significant first step towards building an effective government communication network.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi briefed Dr Gargash on Sharjah's Government Communication Award held in December 2013 for the first time under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. HE pointed out that the ceremony was organised by Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) to recognise the media's role in all aspects of the political, economic, cultural and social life and to acknowledge the contributions of local and regional media institutions and individuals in developing a distinguished media industry in the UAE, GCC and Middle East. Al Qassimi noted that the award aimed at improving the work achieved by these individuals and institutions, while stimulating a spirit of healthy competition among government communication professionals in the region.

Dr Gargash was also briefed on a new project that will assess the nature of government communication in the emirate. The project is set to be implemented in four stages integrating 50 government entities in Sharjah through a central government communication network.

His Excellency commended SMC's initiatives and role in bringing global best practices in government communication to the country, which would benefit all stakeholders within and outside the UAE. He emphasised the vital role played by the centre in stepping up coordination between different government and federal entities in Sharjah, and media organisations.

Dr Gargash also expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his vision to embrace initiatives that support the communication between the public and the government while also turning the emirate of Sharjah into a global hub for best practices in government communication.

The first Sharjah Government Communications Forum was organised by Sharjah Media Centre in 2012. The regional forum discussed relevant communication challenges that were triggered by the socio-political occurrences in the Arab world. IGCF 2014 is a first-of-its-kind event that articulates the SMC's efforts to develop government communication mechanisms for the benefit of government institutions in the UAE and the wider region.

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