Sharjah launches International Govt Communication Centre

Sharjah - The IGCC will function as a world-class media resource facility as well as a scientific research and knowledge platform

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, has announced the launch of the International Government Communication Centre (IGCC), ahead of the Sixth Edition of International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017), being held from March 22-23 in Sharjah with more than 2,500 world leaders, influencers and international experts in attendance.

The first of its kind platform in the region, the International Government Communication Centre will be managed by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) and is being seen as yet another extraordinary initiative by the Sharjah government to support and boost the media environment in the Emirate and the UAE. The IGCC will function as a world-class media resource facility as well as a scientific research and knowledge platform offering reference and all possible guidance in the field of government communication locally, regionally and internationally.

Announcing the initiative, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said that the Sixth Edition of the IGCF will see the official launch of the new Centre in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and international guests, senior officials and communication specialists from around the world.
Vision to Build World-Class Media Research Centre

The Chairman of Sharjah Media Council stressed that the International Government Communication Centre is based on the vision to build an integrated government communication system involving the IGCF, sophisticated knowledge platforms and specialised programmes for training and developing the skills and abilities of those working in government communication, besides forming an international relations network of specialists in the field.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Executive Chairman of Sharjah Department of Government Relations, lauded the International Government Communication Centre as a demonstration of the keenness of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to support and promote government communication locally, regionally and internationally, and of the continuous efforts made in this regard by Sharjah, being the first to allocate an entire forum for government communication.

Hessa Al Hammadi, Manager of the Government Communication Department at Sharjah Government Media Bureau, stressed the importance of launching such a sophisticated initiative as the International Government Communication Centre. She described it as a leap forward for the government communication sector, which receives utmost support from the Emirate of Sharjah.

"We as a department of government communication highly appreciate the efforts of the IGCF, and are very pleased with all the attention paid to government communication, which demonstrates the keenness of Sharjah Government to promote this field and support it with initiatives that contribute to its progress and highlight the Emirate's pioneering experience in this regard at a local and international level," said Al Hammadi.
A Complete Media Resource and Research Facility
The Centre also aspires to form a scientific edifice in the field of government communication through a clear strategy that includes the building of a knowledge and research base for specialists in the field, the documentation of IGCF outputs and the development of pragmatic and applied experiences on issues such as government communication, youth and sustainable development.
The IGCF 2017 will see more than 2,500 world leaders, opinion makers and media and communication experts all under one roof who will brainstorm over how best to implement the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They will debate issues and challenges facing governments around the world and the world community and discuss ways of creating a better world.  

• Sharjah