The Government Summit, the first of its kind regional initiative to be held in Dubai from February 11 to 12, 2013, has announced its detailed agenda covering all aspects of government administration and services, with several interactive discussions to be addressed by international experts.

Focusing on the future of government services, The Government Summit presents an opportunity for members of the public and Summit delegates to submit queries to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on the role and principles of government services and his vision for the future of government administration.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed will address the Summit, titled ‘Leadership in Government Service,’ underlining the UAE’s Vision 2021, which he launched three years ago, aiming to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world.

The Government Summit will host regional and international speakers, including representatives of the United Nations, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, among others.

“The Government Summit marks an important step in further elevating government services at the national, regional and international levels. To achieve the goals of the Summit to promote best practices in government services, several interactive sessions that highlight issues directly related to the citizens needs’ will be held. These sessions cover the services of various government departments and the best methods to improve government services,” said His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Head of the Organizing Committee of The Government Summit.

His Excellency Al Gergawi said that the summit will avoid traditional frameworks in presenting ideas and discussions, instead focusing on enhancing and enriching dialogue and exchanging experiences to achieve its primary objective of further building the knowledge-base of all the participants on providing leading government services.

The agenda of the Summit covers all aspects of government services, and will include a detailed discussion on the UAE’s model in developing government services covering Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s experiences in government service provision.

Several country-specific best practice workshops will be held with representatives from Singapore, Canada, South Korea, Denmark, Australia, and Brazil, among others, sharing their learnings in efficient government services, e-governance, citizen-centric services, and innovation, among other topics, with the participants.

Among the aspects to be covered include discussions on government services in global cities; social media as a tool for citizen engagement; future scenarios for effective service delivery; innovative partnerships with the private sector; building a service culture in the government sector; tools to improve government services; delivering quality public services; measuring development; and citizen services;

A ministerial roundtable will be held as part of the Summit, with ministers from around the world sharing their insights and recommendations on how government services can be made more effective, efficient and citizen-oriented.

Another key component of the Summit are the best practice workshops on the UN Public Service Award – the most prestigious international recognition in public service excellence - focusing on innovation in regulatory reform and administrative simplification for effective service delivery; innovation in public governance through networks and partnerships; and innovation in e-services.

Closed sector workshops will be held on the UAE’s education and employment, healthcare sector and youth.