Beirut-Cairo, 4 December 2017 (Communication and Information Unit) – ESCWA has recently organized a workshop on “Fostering Innovation in the Public Sectors of Arab Countries” in Cairo under the patronage of Hala Helmy El Said, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Administrative Reform.
 
Over 40 participants attended the workshop held on 30-31 October 2017, representing the governmental section in 11 Arab countries: UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Palestine, Syrian Arab Republic, Sudan, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco and Yemen. The workshop was also attended by experts from Arab and international regional organizations.
 
The main objective of this workshop was to raise awareness and build a better understanding on innovation in the public sector among government decision-makers of the Arab region. The objective was achieved through general discussions of concepts and challenges, approaches of public sector innovation, and tools and technologies.
 
During this workshop, ESCWA presented its new policy framework for open government in the Arab region, which is designed for enhancing transparency, accountability and participation of citizens in decision making.
 
In her statement, Minister Said noted: “Administrative reform in Egypt has faced several challenges over the past years and the government is currently seeking to improve public services provided to citizens in various governorates of the Republic. The Government is also working to establish a global network of partnerships with international bodies and institutions to support innovation.”
 
“The Ministry of Planning, Monitoring and Administrative Reform is working in cooperation with the Ministries of Education, Higher Education, Commerce and Industry on an innovation strategy,” she added.
 
ESCWA Chief of innovation Section Nibal Idelbi said that the ESCWA Technology Development Division (TDD) aims to support the efforts of Arab States in developing the information society and adopting a knowledge-based economy while relying on technology and innovation.
 
Within the framework of building strong institutions and supporting the use of new trends in technology in the public sector, Idelbi noted that ESCWA is working on developing an open government framework in the Arab region, which is closely linked to the achievement of Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to promoting peace, justice and strong institutions.
 
The workshop included sessions on the concepts of innovation in the public sector presented by expert "Dimitris Gouscos" and is based on the report that is being prepared by ESCWA on “Fostering innovation in the public sectors of the Arab region”. The sessions also included presentations of some successful innovation practices in Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Sudan. In addition, the sessions included presentations related to the ESCWA Open Government Project and presentations showing the interrelationship of technology with the SDGs. The workshop also contained an interactive session in which participants worked as teams and suggested innovative services for citizens.
 
*****

 
For more information:
 
Nabil Abu-Dargham +961-70-99 31 44; email: dargham@un.org  
Ms Rania Harb: +96170008879  harb1@un.org
Ms Mirna Mahfouz:  +961-70-827372   mahfouz@un.org
Mr Haidar Fahs: +961-70-079021  haydar.fahs@un.org