Manama: The 2nd UN study tour to Bahrain concluded representing 21 states, organized and funded by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) with an aim at maximizing benefits from Bahrain’s experience in eGovernment, and public service fields.
During the wrap-up session, CEO of eGovernment Authority, Mohammed Ali Al Qaed met the UN Delegation, along with eGA’s executive directors, where they were briefed on the results of all working papers, deliberations and constructive proposals made by the participating states so as to derive full benefit from them and transforming it into action plans into their countries in the near future under the supervision of the UN.
Al Qaed stated that eGA is very keen to share its experience and knowledge for the 2nd UN successful initiative, pointing out the diversity in areas covering study tours, presentations, workshops and bilateral meetings with the government officials in Bahrain. He added that selecting Bahrain by the UNDESA for the second time has proven track record of our success in implementing and crafting a clear-cut vision to improve eGovernment with a core focus on achieving set goals and benchmarks, enhancing internal coordination among the relevant entities and helping to achieve the objectives of Government Program.
John-Mary Kazuya, Chief Governance and Public Administration Branch at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) expressed his appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for the warm hospitality, and invaluable information, highlighting that each delegate will maximize the benefits from Bahrain’s experience upon return to their countries. He further added that eGA is one of the best entities he’s seen across the globe as nationals are given utmost priority with the support from leadership.
Alexandra Mills, UN eGovernance Consultant emphasized that this visit was an appropriate window of opportunity to share experience among States in the eGovernment field. She said that discussions and insights together with presentations, contributed to shed light on practices made as a whole by each State by gaining even partial benefits from Bahrain’s experience. She thanked Bahrain’s eGA for its efforts and extensive program; she looked forward to replicating the experience for the third time in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The intensive week included study tours and explanatory presentations for various government entities, including Central Informatics Organization, Bahrain Investors Centre (BIC), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Works Municipalities and Urban Planning, Civil Service Bureau, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Works, Telecommunication Regularity Authority and Silah Gulf.
The delegation unilaterally focused on exchange of experience and further cooperation in relation to several projects, mainly the National Portal (Bahrain.bh), along with the National eGovernment Strategy 2016.
The delegation program was carried out under the joint coordination between eGovernment Authority and the Bahrain IT Society (BITS).