10 Ministers from among 100 Candidates Make the Cut for Final Assessment Stage

Dubai-UAE:

His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the World Government Summit 2016, has said that the introduction of the ‘Best Minister in the World’ award aims to highlight leading governmental models in the world, enhance opportunities for the exchange of experiences, and inspire government executives around the world."

Al Gergawi’s comments followed his announcement that the organizing committee had shortlisted the top 10 ministers to reach the final assessment stage of nominations for the award. The new award set to become an annual fixture on the World Government Summit’s agenda is being launched at the upcoming edition in collaboration with Thomson Reuters, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. To be held in Dubai under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the fourth edition of the summit is set to run from February 8 to 10 under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments’.

The ‘Best Minister in the World’ award honors an outstanding minister who has led or participated in a successful government project with tangible positive results for citizens and society. As part of the shortlisting process, Thomson Reuters reviewed more than 100 projects executed by current ministers in more than 80 countries around the world. Of these, 10 have been shortlisted based on facts, numbers, impact on people’s lives, and success of implementation.

In next steps, a jury of seven neutral international experts will thoroughly evaluate the achievements of each nominee to select the winner according to the assessment criteria set by Thomson Reuters. These cover leadership, positive effect, sustainability, transferability, in addition to positive presence and reputation of the minister.

His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the World Government Summit 2016, said: “The aim of this award is to recognize innovation in global government work and highlight ministerial initiatives that have resulted in positive changes in their communities. Our world today needs ministers to serve as role models of thought and action that bring about progress and welfare and improve general societal well-being.”

He added: “Honoring distinguished ministers and their positive influence is a great chance to share knowledge and inspire other government leaders to implement their own successful projects. This is why one of the criteria is for the project or initiative to be transferrable – something that can be successfully replicated in other countries.”

Nadim Najjar, Managing Director, Middle East and North Africa region at Thomson Reuters, said: “The Best Minister in the World award is a unique initiative to choose an impactful personality that has succeeded in using his or her position to make a substantial difference to society with a focus on fulfilling people’s needs and aspirations.” 

As the host nation, the UAE has been excluded from participating in the nominations by the World Government Summit in order to maintain neutrality and objectivity of the award.

‘The Best Minister in the World’ is the latest addition to the World Government Summit’s portfolio of international awards. Some of the other categories include the ‘UAE Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Award for Good’, as well as the ‘Best M-Government Service’ award, and the ‘UAE Drones for Good’ award. Full details including the selection process and criteria are available on the World Government Summit website.

More than 3,000 participants from 125 countries are attending the World Government Summit 2016, including VIPs, leaders, and experts from the public and private sector. The summit will discuss more than 70 topics with prominent speakers at plenary sessions and parallel sessions that convene leaders, decision makers, ministers, CEO’s, innovators, entrepreneurs, policy experts and academia.

A number of initiatives, reports and studies will also be launched during the summit and throughout the year.

  

World Government Summit:

More than 3,000 leaders and decision makers from around the world will meet to discuss government issues at the World Government Summit to be held in Dubai, UAE from 8 to 10 February 2016.

For further information visit https://www.worldgovernmentsummit.org.

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