Crown Prince of Sharjah Honours Speakers at First Government Communication Forum

Government Communication Forum HostsGala Closing Ceremony

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, expressed his gratitude toHis Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, for his patronage tothe first Government Communication Forum and his support to the event’s preparation.

His Highness the Crown Prince of Sharjah also praised the efforts of the Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) in launching events such as the Government Communication Forum that contributes significantly to enhancingthe standards of the regional media landscape through the exchange of experiences and best practices. He added that SMC’s initiatives also showcase the expertise of major media organizations and the achievements ofArab and international media icons.He also commended SMC for the event’s unprecedented success of the forum thatdrew the participation of over 600 experts from the media and communication environment. In his appreciation, he applauded the efforts of the employees of Sharjah Media Centre and relentless contribution of the volunteers from departments, agencies and institutions in Sharjah.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi’s comments came during a galaclosing ceremony of the forum, organized by Sharjah Media Centre on 27 February at Al Majazwaterfront inSharjah. During the event, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi honoured the guest of honour - former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato ’Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi -with a model of the Fort of Sharjah. His Highness also honoured participants, speakers and moderators of the forum with certificates of appreciation for their role in the success of the panel discussions.

The closing ceremony of the forum was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qassimi, Chairman of Central Department of Finance, Sheikh Isam Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Office of His Highness the Ruler,His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman Sharjah Media Centre, Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Department of Public Works, and Sheikh Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qassimi, Director of the Office of His Highness the Ruler.

In addition to Osama Samra, Director of SharjahMedia Centre,the ceremony was attended by directors of government departments and institutions in Sharjah, as well asrepresentatives of local and international media organizations, participants of the forum and members of its various committees.

His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Government Communication Forum, announced the Government Communication Award during the closing ceremony. The institution of the award aims to promote positive competition among the government agencies andachieve effective government communication. The details of the award will announcedduring a press conference scheduled to be held in May.

His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi said: “Our vision of the Government Communication Forum is far-sighted.We have laid the foundationfor an annual event that affords atransparent, honest and credibleplatform for industry thought leaders to influence change.

“We have gained key takeaways from the first Government Communication Forum, which will help us make the first step towards ushering in a bright future for government communication in the Arab world. The discussions and debates during the past two days have ledto the formulation of a clear media roadmap. These aspirations and objectives will be translated into executive programmes that can be implemented throughout the Arab world, to serve our nation and our people in the region.”

He added: “Media persons hold a noble role and will remain our priority. We hope that the Government Communication Forum will be the first of our work towards permanent consultation and coordination to raise the standards of government communication.We promise you that we will continue to drive this synergy forward and contribute to setting improved benchmarks in government communication not just in the UAE but across the entire Arab world.”

Concluding his vote of thanks, theChairman of Sharjah Media Centre and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Government Communication Forumsaid: “I thank His Highness DrSheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, forhis visionary direction. I also thankHis Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, for his tireless efforts in supporting the forum’s objectives and his continuous support to Sharjah Media Centre and the media community in the emirate.”

Thanking His Excellency Dato ’Seri Ahmad Badawi, former Malaysian Prime Minister, and the forum’s guests for their time and effort in attending the event, he also placed on record his appreciation for the team of Sharjah Media Centre and all volunteers from government departments in Sharjah.

During the ceremony, a documentary of major activities and events of Sharjah Media Centre was aired. The documentary also included some behind-the-scene portrayalof the preparatory meetings of the Forum.

His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al QassimihonouredHis Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimiwith a memorial shield.

The first Government Communication Forum that was held from 26-27 February was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in the presence of an elite group of thought leaders and leading Arab and international media figures.

The eventdelivered eight sessionson topical issues that focused on global best practices in government communication,in line with the objectivesof Sharjah Media Centre to establish an advanced mechanism within the institutions of the emirate.

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