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Dubai cements its position as a hub of fresh ideas

In the UAE, most government departments are already digital-friendly.

New ideas for governance? The UAE has them in plenty. In fact, the country is taking it to the world at this year's World Government Summit. Dubai is making it clear that it wants to become the hub of ideas, where leaders are close at hand, and where they converge to make the world a better place. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday, again urged the Arab world to move from conflicts and get serious about development of the people in the region. The UAE government is in digital and mobile mode. It is quick, efficient, and more importantly, it delivers. Residents don't have to take their petitions and complaints to government offices when modern governance in the UAE is a 24/7 system. There are no barriers, you just tweet, or post a message, and the government swings into action. This is an evolution of sorts in a globally connected world that is being driven by the digital revolution where most of our lives are being spent online.
In the UAE, most government departments are already digital-friendly. The distance between officials, ministers and people is just an app away. Decisions are made on mobile phones; ideas are spread in the virtual world; and instant action happens on the ground. It's a dynamic system where no stakeholder is left behind. Every sector is on board. Now is the time to take the UAE's digital governance ideas to the world where it can touch more lives, and inspire more leaders. The government summit is an ideal platform to take this smart message to billions. Who else can show how it can be done than Sheikh Mohammed? In his speech at the Summit, he urged the world to move beyond conflict. Let bygones be bygones, was the message. There was introspection, yet hope for the future. Smarter governance is about diverse and sometimes disruptive ideas which make people happy. Modern governments have to think on their feet round the clock. It's about throwing open doors to unlock potential. Finally, it's about leadership that cares.