Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, the eGovernment Authority CEO and the Chairman of the 2013 United Nations Public Services Forum’s Organizing Committee, during a Press conference shared the details of the Forum and its accompanying events which take place under the patronage of His Majesty the King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the King of Bahrain from June24th to 27th, 2013.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that we have already succeeded in exceeding the set objectives and the number of registered delegates has so far reached 700 people, 550 of them are from outside the Kingdom of Bahrain, representing 97 countries, Al Qaed, told the media.
Al Qaed, who was joined by Osama Al Khawaja representing Bahrain Innovation Society, Heyam Al Awadhi from EDB and Ahmed Naeemi from PMI, said the number of delegates and registration for workshops have exceeded the earlier estimates.
“We expect 700 participants in the 2013 UN Public Service Forum with contributions to the national economy worth $6million, thanks to the overwhelming response from the prospective participants of the event,” Al Qaed, added.
The event is being held in coordination with Bahrain’s eGovernment Authority and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) will kick off on the 24th of June and the programme spread over four days.
Al Qaed stated that as a common practice in previous conferences, attendees number ranges from 300 to 500 participants with three or four workshops at maximum; however, it was agreed with the United Nations last year to extend the scope of the Nation’s Public Service Awards ceremony 2013 be hosted by Bahrain in terms of increasing the number of participants and workshops.
He also pointed out that over 100 key international leaders, deputy prime ministers, minsters, CEOs will personally be attending this high-level event.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee added that it is a great success for the Kingdom of Bahrain to host such important international forum for the first time in the Middle East. On the other hand the event will attract the highest number of attendees; especially high-level delegations will take part in Forum, for example, from China, Thailand, Morocco, Korea, America, Oman as well as Egypt and Brazil.
Al Qaed while highlighting the role of workshops and said that this forum will not only enhance the reputation of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its ability to host and organize major international but will provide a value-added content. Remarkably, we feel proud that the workshop entitled: “Leadership for Transformational Government” is organized by a Bahraini entity called the Bahrain Institute for Public Administration (BIPA), likewise is the GCC Countries’ Initiatives Workshop which aims transferring their successful experiences to other countries worldwide.
The Organizing Committee registration data shows positive indications as all halls of the workshops are fully occupied, attendance in some workshop has reached 100 persons to exceed the anticipated capacity of 70 persons per hall.
Al Qaed stated that aim of such initiatives and efforts is to consolidate our role and not to remain as receptacles of knowledge but rather to add a value and contribute in shaping the global policy in the fields of public service and provision of services.
Al Qaed highlighted the forum’s impact from an economic perspective which will positively reflect on activating air flights, hotels, restaurants and taxis, with contribution to the national economy worth $ 6 million, particularly an average stay period is 6 days per guest from 23-28 June 2013, with hotel occupancy rates between 3,000 and 3,5000 hotel nights.
The “Innovation in Public Service Expo” will be organized alongside the forum to highlight and display key innovations and best practices provided by leading private and public organizations, winners of the UN Public Service Day 2013. The exhibition floor will also include the GCC and international non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) specialized in ITC field.
Al Qaed up lauded the efforts exerted by the organizer United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), and the co-organizers Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Information Affairs Authority, Project Management Institute – Gulf Chapter, and Bahrain Innovation Society. In addition to the Knowledge partners comprising United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, ESCWA, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN), UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and all eGovernment Programs in GCC countries and Bahrain Institute of Public Administration (BIPA) and sponsors for their contributions and efforts bring the event to success.
The 2013 United Nations Public Services Forum and Award Ceremony sponsors list includes Bahrain Economic Development Board (Premium Sponsor), Gulf Air (National Carrier), Bahrain International Circuit, Telecommunication Regularity Authority (Diamond Sponsors), ALBA (Platinum Sponsor), Ministry of Interior, Shura Council and Council of Representatives, Central Informatics Organization, Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission, General Organization for Youths and Sports, LG-CNS , Bahrain Petroleum Company BAPCO, House of Travel (Gold Sponsor), and Batelco (Telecommunication Sponsor).