Telecommunications Regulatory Authority held two UAE workshops at WSIS 2016 in Geneva

UAE, May 7, 2016 - The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) hosted two major workshops outlining the UAE's successful experiences in building a dynamic information society along a set of related matters, such as digital security and students empowerment. at the 2016 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, Switzerland. 

High-ranking government officials have been invited to speak on national initiatives related to digital safety, student empowerment, and the UAE Smart's transformation in general and Dubai particularly, among others. This comes within the framework of TRA's efforts to strengthen the leadership of the UAE on the global information society's map, and to be as an active partner in achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The UAE Country Workshop; which main theme is “UAE Government, Government of Future – Building the Best Smart Governments and Cities in the World – Extraordinary Transformation that Touches Everyone's Life”, on the other hand, included H.E. Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Assistant Director General for Government Services and Leadership in the Prime Minister's and future Office; H.E. Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Director General at Smart Dubai Office; H.E. Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government; and Eng. Mohammed Al Khamis, the TRA's Senior Manager for ICT Planning, as moderator. The workshop was about Dubai's transformation into a smart city, the ‘smart government' underpinning this change, and newly-designated positions at the UAE's cabinet that will positively impact the country's development into an Information Society.

As for the panelists of the UAE Thematic Workshop on ‘UAE Government – Student Self-Immune Awareness Program & Addressing The Rising Trend of Cyber Blackmail' featured by the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program in Dubai Police; Eng. Ghaith Almazaina, Manager for Business Affairs at TRA's Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT); and Mr. Suleman Bakhsh, TRA's Manager Internet Governance, as moderator. The group discussed the outstanding achievements of ‘AQDAR,' the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program, as well as the successful ‘Cyber Blackmail Campaign' conducted by ‘aeCERT.'

H.E. Majed Al Mesmar, Deputy Director General of TRA, was presented at both workshops; H.E. chairs the National ‘WSIS' Committee, the government entity in charge of following up on the implementation of the ‘WSIS' recommendations and action lines in the UAE. 

Another highlight of the UAE's participation at the forum is the recognition of 15 Champion Projects from the UAE nominated for the 2016 ‘WSIS' Prizes. The entities to be honored include the Ministry of Interior (‘MOI UAE Smart Application', ‘Emirates Vehicle Gate' and ‘Hemayati Child Protection'); Emirates Identity Authority (‘UAE National Validation System'); the TRA (‘TRA-ITU ICT Discovery Museum', ‘UAEPedia', ‘M-Government TV Program' and ‘ICT Development in Arab Region'); the Government of Dubai's Executive Council (‘Dubai Smart Training Initiative'); Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (‘GD Smart Power Planet Project'); Smart Navigation Systems (‘Smart Navigation System'); Dubai Police (‘Virtual Learning' and ‘Smart Recruitment Dubai Police'); Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (‘M-ENVIRONMENT'); and the Khalifa Empowerment Program for Students | AQDAR (‘360 Degrees of Student Awareness'). They received Champions Certificates during the prestigious WSIS Prize Ceremony which was held on May 4, 2016 at the International Conference Centre Geneva.

H.E. Majed Al Mesmar, said: “The UAE has made extraordinary progress in achieving the goals of the ‘WSIS Action Lines' in order to harness ICT to achieve social, political and economic growth. We are excited to share our successful experiences at the upcoming ‘WSIS Forum' and gain valuable insights from thought leaders and decision makers who are overseeing similar activities in their own countries as well. The Forum is an important platform for the UAE to actively join global discussions on how ICT acts as a critical enabler for the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.”

‘WSIS Forum 2016' is the latest edition of the world's largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development' community. It is co-organized by the International Telecommunication Union, the UN Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The forum provides structured opportunities for participants to network, learn and join in multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations on ‘WSIS' implementation. Its Agenda and Programme are based on inputs from an Open Consultation Process. For more information on this year's event please visit https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2016.