DUBAI, 6 July 2006 — Dubai-based World Development Forum has announced the launch of the Government Technology (GT) Summit & Exhibition 2006, in association with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Arab League.
The three-day event which is due to take place on Sept. 3-5 at the JW Marriot Hotel in Dubai, will focus on the theme of “Integrated Secure Services to Government, Business and Citizens”. It will also provide a platform for senior IT decision-makers in the public sector throughout the Middle East to debate cohesive and practical strategies for the common good of the Arab world.
Information & Communications Technology (ICT) indicators in the Arab region are still weak, (penetration for landlines, mobile phones and Internet access are still only at 10%, 24% and 8%, respectively), way behind the developed world. Therefore the UNDP introduced a new regional initiative called Information and Communities Technologies for Development in the Arab Region (ICTDAR).
Covering all Arab countries, ICTDAR’s main aim is to assist Arab states in harnessing ICT to reduce poverty, address digital divides and improve both public administration performance and private sector hold and expansion.
Khaled Eid, managing director of the World Development Forum, said, “part of ICTDAR’s strategy is to foster dialogue between leading IT players in the Arab governments and other key stakeholders. After aligning our aims and objectives with ICTDAR a strategic partnership was formed between the UNDP and GT Summit 2006 to help support this vital regional initiative.”
