• HH Ruler of Sharjah Urges Societal Participation for Inclusive Development
• International Government Communication Centre, Government Communication Fund Launched
• Guest of Honour Emphasises Contribution to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Sharjah, UAE, March 22, 2017:  The Sixth International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017) was officially inaugurated with keynote speeches from His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, and HE Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan.

Present on the occasion were HE Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), HE Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of Sharjah Art Foundation, Sheikh Khalid bin Issam Al Qasimi, Head of Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation, Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of HH Sharjah Ruler's Office, Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Executive Chairman of Sharjah Department of Government Relations, Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development, Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Suburbs and Villages Affairs, Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah International Airport Authority and Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Thani, Director of Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation.

Emphasising the role of education and development in the growth of the Emirate of Sharjah, HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi recounted how it all began 32 years ago, with the first children’s centre in the UAE being based in Sharjah. The University City of Sharjah was established 12 years later. The generation that accompanied these projects is now an integral part of society. He expressed his happiness at the Forum’s theme that called for societal participation and commended the organisers for their efforts in including all segments of society and the UAE population, within the scope of this year’s Forum.
He said: “Today, we welcome around 5,500 pupils and approximately 1,200 students annually graduate across 350 masters and 120 PhD programmes. In addition, we are increasingly interested in focusing our efforts on scientific research, and have therefore allocated US$120 million for this purpose.”

Speaking on the theme of comprehensive development, he defined sustainable development as the prioritisation of humanity over the being, which would allow progress to carry on beyond the life of a single being. Development should revolve around the family as a central unit, as well as the individual across different stages of life -- from childhood, to adolescence, to old age, he stressed. He lamented the lack of societal participation necessary for sustainable development.

Addressing the theme of Societal Participation and Comprehensive Development, HH the Ruler of Sharjah said that for true societal development, humans must be the source and core focus of such inclusive development, regardless of ethnicity and background. He also emphasised the need for health insurance for all segments of the population, especially the elderly, to ensure their continued care as the nation moves ahead.

Later, HH the Ruler of Sharjah went around the venue to visit various media stands and workshops and interacted with their representatives and experts.
On this occasion, HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, launched the International Government Communication Centre, a first-of-its-kind academic establishment that will serve as a local, regional, and international reference point for government communications. Furthermore, in line with the UAE’s Year of Giving initiative, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi announced the establishment of a Government Communication Fund.

He called on the audience to keep in mind the countless bloody events that the world is currently witnessing, the obstacles they generate, and of the important need to transform them into opportunities. He encouraged all stakeholders to closely follow and benefit from the outcomes and recommendations of the sixth edition of IGCF.

Speaking on behalf of HE Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, the guest of honour at the inaugural event, HE Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, expressed his delight at the opportunity to attend the important Forum. He commended the Emirate of Sharjah, and the wider UAE, on hosting the prestigious event, and voiced his concern on international issues such as famine, poverty, disease, inequality, environmental imbalance, and terrorism that have captured the attention of a worldwide audience.

He underlined the significance of such events and activities that bring together governments and nations, to coordinate their efforts in finding solutions to international issues, with communication at the core of this synchronisation. He also highlighted Azerbaijan’s efforts, as an oil exporter and in light of recent fluctuations, to diversify its economy and step up its global status. He stressed the need for nations across the world to focus on sustainable development, and identify how to contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, the sixth edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017) runs from 22 to 23 March at Expo Centre Sharjah. Themed ‘Societal Participation…Comprehensive Development’, IGCF 2017 examines how nations around the globe can leverage effective government communication to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that have become the top priority of government programmes, international institutions, media organisations and civil society.

Offering a transparent platform to examine current issues and formulate recommendations to help governments optimise the impact of their communication, IGCF 2017 convenes more than 2,500 local and international personalities from the ranks of government officials, experts, thought leaders, and government communication professionals.