Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
SHARJAH, UAE, February 27, 2017: The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) has announced that the sixth edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017) will organise a special meeting with members of the diplomatic corps in the UAE on the side lines of the two-day event to be held on March 22-23, 2017. It will be held in collaboration with the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah which is responsible for enhancing cooperation between government departments in the Emirate and international governments and NGOs.
HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council has emphasized that the meeting aims to improve the coordination of the government communication system in Sharjah and the wider UAE with governments of other countries. During the meeting ambassadors, consuls and attachés to the UAE will discuss the role of government communication in achieving sustainable development.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi also has said the said meeting will highlight the commitment of Sharjah and the UAE to the principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, it will provide a unique opportunity for the diplomatic corps to share the experiences of their countries in working towards these noble goals that have become a top priority for international governments and institutions alike.
He briefed that hosting high-profile diplomatic personalities will greatly enrich 6th edition of the IGCF 2017. Moreover, it will help the forum to achieve its objectives of boosting the leading status of Sharjah and the UAE in the government communication sector in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
HE Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Executive Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah sought to gain insights from global experiences relevant to this year’s theme ‘Societal Participation…Comprehensive Development’, especially concerning government communication in relation to SDGs by hosting representatives of the diplomatic corps during 6th edition of the IGCF 2017.
“The Sharjah forum will examine a wide variety of topics of interest to world governments he added. He stressed on the governments to work jointly to achieve the SDGs in order to overcome current and future challenges. In this context, government communication plays a vital role in supporting government efforts towards realising these goals, and contributing to economic and social development he added.
Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, the International Government Communication Forum will be held from March 22 to 23, 2017 at Expo Centre Sharjah. It was launched in 2012. The IGCF aims to showcase best global practices in government communication, and enhance the performance of governments through improving their communication with citizens.
The IGCF will witnesses the convergence of local, regional and global media experts along with governments and prominent global leaders. It is an international forum which promotes universalism which is a benchmark of Sharjah’s media and communications mandate about global best practices, aims to bring the latest professional standards and mechanism of various governments’ communication methods and means to the emirate, seeks to address and embed macro topics to develop a collaborative and participatory dialogue with opinion leaders, heads of government institutions, and other officials.