Doha: Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), actively participated in the "Digital Governments in GCC Countries" session during the 2025 MENA eGovernment Workshop held in Doha. The workshop, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), took place on April 23 and 24.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Al Qaed praised the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) prominent status in the United Nations E-Government Survey 2024, acknowledging their persistent efforts and the collaborative work of ministerial, executive, and technical committees in advancing digital transformation and improving government services for citizens and residents. He also appreciated the continuous sharing of expertise and collaboration with the United Nations through international workshops to enhance digital indicators.
Al Qaed emphasized the significance of unified Gulf initiatives to implement the GCC Digital Twinning Programme, designed to extend the successful regional digital transformation framework on a global scale. He highlighted the programme's initial launch by Bahrain in December of the previous year.
During his address, Al Qaed showcased Bahrain's digital strategies that propelled the Kingdom to 18th place globally in the UN index. These initiatives include the MyGov app, the revamped eKey system, AI-powered services, and plans to integrate smart government applications.
He elaborated on Bahrain's implementation of cloud computing in governmental functions, which has improved service efficiency, supported legislative advancements, and led to specialized training programs for public sector employees.
Al Qaed also stressed the necessity of unified login and digital ID systems across the GCC, the development of measurement indicators with the UN, and the enhancement of the Human Capital Index through digital education strategies and international certifications.
In discussions on the sidelines, Al Qaed met with Arpine Korekyan, Governance and Public Administration Officer at UNDESA, to deliberate on Bahrain's Digital Twinning Programme with Tunisia and the Comoros, and the potential for broader participation in future phases. They also examined suggestions to aid the development of upcoming UN reports. Both parties highlighted the value of such meetings in sharing expertise and supporting the advancement of UN member states.