Emirates

UN organises Public Service Awards ceremony in UAE

DUBAI, 13th December, 2021 (WAM) — The United Nations organised a ceremony honoring winners of the United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA), the most prestigious international award for public service, in UAE on Monday; honoring 17 winning initiatives in various fields of public service for 2020 and 2021 awards.

The selection of the UAE to organise this prestigious international event, coinciding with the celebration of its Golden Jubilee, reflects its leading position worldwide. It further highlights the UN’s appreciation of the progress achieved by the UAE government in various fields as well as its global role in sharing knowledge, experiences and the best practices in the field of future government, developed over the past 50 years.

The ceremony was attended by Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and The Future; Catherine Pollard, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance; and Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Director General of Prime Minister's Office in the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs.

Ohood Al Roumi: UAE government is committed to promote global cooperation achieving SDGs

In a keynote speech, Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and The Future, affirmed that the UAE government is committed to promoting cooperation and enhancing partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to support international efforts and enable governments to build a better future.

Al Roumi added that future readiness is a necessity for governments that seek to create a better future of its people, and that the opportunities and challenges facing governments today are different from those of the past. She also stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed several notions and set multiple future trends.

Catherine Pollard: the UN calls for global solidarity as we build back better together

Catherine Pollard stated that, "The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated to the world the vital role that public servants play in ensuring service delivery, even in times of immense disruption and crisis. This year, as we meet to host the first UN Public Service Awards Ceremony since the onset of the pandemic, we have a moment to both thank public servants everywhere for their continued work."

Pollard also said; "The United Nations calls for global solidarity as we build back better together, and we call on you to learn from each other as we work towards our collective Sustainable Development Goals." She further extended her appreciation for the UAE government for hosting the event. "As we work in global solidarity to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, sharing knowledge and innovation is critical. to enhance our chances of reaching the SDGs," she added.

The UN awarded 10 winners for the UNPSA 2021. Two initiatives won the "Fostering innovation to deliver inclusive and equitable services for all" category, namely the Hands-on Mobile ICT Classes Project of Ghana Library Authority and the Encouraging Innovation to Deliver Inclusive and Equal Services to All of Kazakhstan. Five initiatives won the "Enhancing the effectiveness of public institutions" category, namely Water Sector Trust Fund of Kenya with the Output-based aid programme initiative, the Chungcheongnam-do of the Republic of Korea with Clean marine environment initiative, Department of Sustainable Development of Romania with the initiatives to strengthen the effectiveness of Romanian institutions and PCSD to reach SDGs, Municipio de Coatzacoalcos, Mexico with the initiative Coatzabierto – Integral strategy of open government and intelligent city, and the Automobile Club d’Italia, ACI mobility information system (Luceverde).

For Category 3 on promoting gender-responsive public services to achieve the SDGs, two initiatives won the award, namely the Ministry of disaster management and relief of Bangladesh with Women empowerment in cyclone preparedness programme (CPP) and the superintendence of sports in the state of Bahia, Brazil; sports in the city initiative.

For Category 4 on institutional preparedness and response in times of crisis, the Department of disease control of Thailand won the award for its initiative intelligent & sustainable public health emergency system.

Innovating inclusive and equitable services for all

For 2021 awards, the Hands-on Mobile ICT Classes Project of Ghana Library Authority won the first category, "Fostering innovation to deliver inclusive and equitable services for all including through digital transformation," that contributed to the implementation of the 4th goal of the UN 2030 SDGs.

The project was implemented to address the growing need in Ghana for skilled workers capable of harnessing technology for shaping the future by bringing hands-on mobile computer classes to the remote and under-resourced schools. The idea was to equip a van with low-power laptop computers, solar panels, and an internet modem to visit under-resourced schools to conduct practical computer classes.

Services to All

The initiative on "Encouraging Innovation to Deliver Inclusive and Equal Services to All" launched by the "Government for Citizens" in Kazakhstan was also a winner of the same category. It created conditions for delivering high-quality government services to all segments of the population based on the actual needs of each region, contributing to achieving the SDGs ninth goal. Kazakhstanis are now able to receive 95 percent of all public services through the digital public service centers designed on the principle of a single window, which provided more than 132 million government services through 350 centers across Kazakhstan. It also launched the mobile government service centers initiative to reach all regions and serve society members, providing more than 328,000 services through more than 9,000 visits.

Enhancing the effectiveness of public institutions

The Water Sector Trust Fund of Kenya won the second category of the UNPSA "Enhancing the effectiveness of public institutions to reach the SDGs" by launching the "Output-Based Aid Programme" initiative helping it reach the SDGs sixth goal Nations by promoting the partnerships of the aid program managed, and providing integrated subsidies to finance projects implemented by water service providers. In addition to supporting 60 percent of the commercial loan, and facilitating installments payments to support water services, enabling 130,000 people living in low-income areas were able to access clean water and sanitation.

Clean Marine Environment

The "Clean Marine Environment Initiative", launched by Chungcheong-do in South Korea, was also recognised under the second category.

The initiative aimed to address existing and future marine waste and contribute to achieving the 14th SDG by developing a 3-level response plan that starts with preventing the generation, collection and storage of marine waste, transportation and disposal of waste through public-private partnerships, and with the help of NGOs and people.

Strengthening the effectiveness of institutions

"Strengthening the effectiveness of Romanian institutions and PCSD to reach SDGs" plan launched by the Department of Sustainable Development of Romania was announced as a winner.

Launched in 2018, the ‘StrengthRO–SDGs’ initiative aims to promote the implementation of the SDGs by enhancing the role of the Romanian government through engagement and communication of the Department of Sustainable Development in partnership with government entities, business leaders and community institutions.

Open government and intelligent city

Another winner under the second category is the "Integral strategy of open government and intelligent city" developed by the Coatzabierto Municipality in Mexico. Its goal is to modernise the digital infrastructure and develop a smart city that provides a comprehensive platform for government services and contributes to achieving a set of sustainable development goals, primarily the 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, and 16th goals. The initiative focuses on applying governance practices by promoting digital transformation towards becoming a 100 percent digital government, providing services 24/7 and reducing 40 percent of processing time.

Green Light

The "ACI mobility information system (Luceverde) initiative", developed by the Automobile Club d’Italia, also won the second category award. The initiative aims to provide real-time, GPS-based information for multi-modal mobility, thus achieving the 11th SDG. Delivered through different channels: web radio, a mobile application, website, social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Telegram, a contact center, and local radio and TV stations. The initiative contributed to enabling more than 3 million people to access 100 radio stations, 6 television channels, 60 live television broadcasts, 700 video bulletins, 24,000 written pamphlets, 500 live broadcasts and 20 million posts on social media to meet various needs.

Promoting gender-responsive public services to achieve the SDGs

Bangladesh’s Ministry of disaster management and relief’s initiative, "Women empowerment in cyclone preparedness programme (CPP)" won the third category, promoting gender-responsive public services to achieve the SDGs. The initiative supports government efforts to achieve the 5th goal of the UN SDGs 2030 and aims to train female volunteers on addressing natural disasters, thus achieving gender equality in this field.

Sports in the City

The "Sports in the City" initiative, launched by the Superintendence of sports in the state of Bahia, Brazil to achieve the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 16th SDGs, was honored in this category. The initiative aims to provide easier access to sport as a form of social inclusion to achieve gender balance. It also provides free football lessons for women in various regions and enhance the use of leisure time towards reducing the current gap in government service.

Institutional preparedness and response in times of crisis

The "Intelligent and sustainable public health emergency system" initiative, launched by the Thailand Department of Disease Control (DDC), won the category of institutional preparedness and response in times of crisis. The system seeks to achieve the 3rd and 17th goals of the SDGs, by enhancing the expertise of epidemiologists in dealing with emergency and health threats.

The initiative enhances the response to emergency and health threats by establishing more than 1,000 Surveillance Rapid Response Team (SRRT), to monitor health risks, manage public health emergencies and deploy effective plans to mitigate risk, through identifying 5 target groups to prevent them from contacting communicable diseases.

2020 winners

The UNPSA for 2020 honoured 7 winners; 3 of which were in the category of providing comprehensive and equitable services for all, namely the "HYO Policy" introduced by the Seongdong District Office in South Korea, the Automatic Social Energy Tariff initiative presented by the Administrative Modernisation Agency and the Directorate-General of Energy and Geology of Portugal, and the Preparatory course for students admission into reference technical school presented by Prefeitura do Jaboatão dos Guararapes of Brazil.

For Category 2 on Promoting integrated mechanisms for sustainable development, the winner was Consejo Nuevo León para la Planeación Estratégica of Mexico. For Category 3 on Developing transparent and accountable public institutions, the winner was the Ministry of Land of Bangladesh with the e-Mutation initiative. For Category 4 on Promoting digital transformation in public-sector institutions, 2 winners were announced, namely North East Region Ministry of Basic Education, ICT Integration into Teaching and Learning (e- Thuto), Botswana; and Dirección General de Transformación Digital de la Administración de Justicia, Digital Justice: 360 vision of security, Spain.

Providing comprehensive and equitable services for all

Winning the 2020 category of providing comprehensive and equitable services for all, the "HYO Policy" introduced by the Seongdong District Office in South Korea aims to provide more accessible healthcare services. The ‘HYO Team’, composed of doctors and nurses, pays home visits to elderly citizens to provide health checkups, chronic disease management, depression and dementia management, and financial support for medical bills.

Around quarter the number of elderly have registered in the programme, and 6.8 percent registered in the intensive programme. Of those registered, 75 percent with diabetes have controlled the disease, their social relationships rates have risen from 23.9 percent to 31.6 percent, while their depression rates have fallen to 17.7 percent.

Energy Tariff

The Administrative Modernisation Agency and the Directorate-General of Energy and Geology in Portugal also won the category for its "Automatic Social Energy Tariff". The initiative aims to address the low uptake rate of the "Social Energy Tariff" which the Portuguese government operated in 2010 to ease the burden of energy bills. The team developed a platform that automates the process of tariff application; the Government proactively checks for eligibility and automatically attributes a social tariff. According to evaluations provided, the number of beneficiaries increased from 4 percent to about 20 percent of all the households in Portugal, representing an overall discount of over 85 million euros on their bills.

Promoting Technical Education

Encouraging middle school students to access and attend secondary level technical schools, The Jaboatão Prepara: preparatory course for students’ admission into reference technical schools launched by Brazil’s Prefeitura Do Jaboatão Dos Guararapes also won the category award. In 2015, the program targeted students and offered professional guidance and free preparatory course support to help them navigate the selection and federal processes to access technical schools that are otherwise out of reach.

It has significantly boosted the number of district students selected by technical schools to more than 1,500 between 2015 and 2018. In 2018, out of the 2,000 students enrolled in Prepara, 781 applied for the admission test, 88 percent of whom were approved. In addition, 631 were accepted in State Technical Schools and 60 to Federal Technical Institutes. Furthermore, the drop-out rate after middle school fell by 27 percent, below Brazil’s national average.

Integrated Mechanisms for Sustainable Development

In the category of ensuring integrated mechanisms for sustainable development, the "Consejo Nuevo León para la Planeación Estratégica" was the winner. The plan of action worked on preparing a 15-year strategic plan to promote sustainable development and ensure the general well-being of the citizens of Nuevo Leon by meeting their needs. The strategic plan works in six key areas: human development, sustainable development, economic development, security and justice, effective government, and public finance. The council facilitates cross-sector collaboration between key stakeholders to solve the state’s most pressing problems.

Developing Transparent and Accountable Public Institutions

The Ministry of Land of Bangladesh won the category of developing transparent and accountable public institutions for the initiative to "Implement the e-Mutation". E-mutation was established to provide a digital mechanism for mutation applications that allow more efficient application, tracking of the process, and delivery of timely services. It aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the process, increase efficiency, and ensure a system that is fair to all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable including the illiterate, women, older persons and the poor.

Promoting Digital Transformation in the Public Sector

Botswana’s Northeast Region Ministry of Basic Education’s "ICT Integration into Teaching and Learning (e-Thuto)" program won the Promoting Digital Transformation in the Public Sector category. The program aims to enhance connectivity, promote a culture of lifelong learning and accelerate innovation to develop knowledge-based systems while delivering government services electronically. The region introduced ICT Integration into teaching and learning by developing a web-based interactive platform (e-Thuto) consisting of e-learning and data management modules.

Digital Justice

Also hailed as category winner is Spain’s Dirección General de Transformación Digital developed by the Ministry of Justice, "La visión 360º de la Seguridad".

The Ministry developed the Digital Justice: 360 vision of security for accessing electronic legal proceedings, whose implementation promoted complete electronic processing of judicial files with greater security.

The processing of a judicial procedure is carried out electronically for the duration of the life cycle of a judicial procedure. Since its implementation, complete electronic processing of judicial files has been achieved, with greater security through elements such as secure electronic signatures and secure VPNs being used to ensure confidentiality of information.

Emirates

Hamriyah and Deira ports record AED 12.133b in customs declaration value for first nine months of 2023

Dubai Customs plays a crucial role as the frontline defense for community security, consistently advancing its customs centers to safeguard and facilitate maritime trade. H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs, CEO of
Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, recently visited Creek Customs Center, Deira Port, and Hamriyah Port Customs Center to evaluate progress and oversee ongoing efforts for continuous customs service development. During this visit, several executive directors, department heads, and customs center managers were present.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, accompanied by Rashid Al Dhabah Al Suwaidi, Acting Director of Seae Customs Centers Management, conducted inspections at Khor Customs Center, Deira Port, and Hamriyah Port Customs Center. Managers Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al Salman and Majid Salem Al Tawilah provided insights into workflow progress and accomplishments. Over the first nine months of this year, 62,454 customs declarations were processed, totaling AED 12.133 billion, with 19 seizures recorded during the same period. A visit to Hamriyah Port Customs Center showcased an advanced container X-ray inspection device, supporting increased inspection operations.

Subsequently, visits to Khor Customs Center and Deira Port highlighted achievements, including a notable seizure called the “Wheelhouse,” which successfully prevented an attempt to smuggle 243 kilograms of narcotics into the country. Commending customs employees, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih emphasized the pivotal role of maritime customs centers in ensuring community security and facilitating trade. The department collaborates for efficient goods clearance and acknowledges employee efforts
during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the department’s support for global efforts to revive maritime navigation and international trade.

Musabih clarified that the department’s advanced capabilities in monitoring and inspection enable it to keep pace with the UAE’s rapid foreign trade growth. Supporting Dubai’s economic agenda D33, the department aims to double foreign trade and enhance economic partnerships with key global markets. Efforts to boost customs inspector efficiency continue through training courses, ensuring their ability to thwart smuggling attempts. Continuous development of X-ray scanning
devices and the K9 customs dog unit further enhances contraband control achievements. Rasheed Al-Dabah explained that the forthcoming period will witness the advancement of new initiatives and mechanisms in the realm of inspection and examination. These initiatives are grounded in a forward-looking perspective to introduce cutting-edge technologies utilized in examining maritime transport vessels, wooden ships, and ships engaged in fish trade.

He remarked, “Our endeavors are harmonized to enhance performance in sea customs centers, concurrently focusing on bolstering monitoring, tracking, and technical support activities to yield optimal outcomes through continuous and productive collaboration among all specialized teams within the department. The Customs centers in Deira, Al Khor, and
Hamriyah Port Customs Center shoulder their vital responsibilities in safeguarding society and facilitating maritime trade through Dubai Creek and Hamriyah Port, supporting the ongoing growth of the national economy.”

Emirates

Dubai Customs Hosts Sharjah Housing Delegation to Strengthen Government Communication Ties

Dubai Customs, represented by the Corporate Communication Department, warmly welcomed a delegation from the Sharjah Housing Department. The purpose of the visit was to familiarize the delegation with the duties and responsibilities of the
Corporate Communication Department and its affiliated divisions. The delegation also aimed to explore the awards received by the department, notably the recognition as the Best Government Communication Team in the Sharjah Government Communication Award for 2023.

Khalil Saqer bin Gharib, Director of Corporate Communication Department, along with department managers, extended a cordial reception to the Sharjah Housing delegation, which included Dr. Ahmed Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director of Government Communication, Nada Sivan, Head of the Public Relations and Events Department, and Hamad Saleh Al Hamadi, Head of
the New Media Department. Bin Gharib highlighted the department’s commitment to strengthening communication with government entities to exchange practical experiences and knowledge. The delegation was briefed on Dubai Customs exceptional performance in customs operations and other facets.

The meeting delved into discussions on potential avenues for collaboration, with the Sharjah Housing delegation. Emphasis was placed on the crucial role played by Dubai Customs’ Corporate Communication Department, customs administrations, and centers in ensuring security and safeguarding society. The delegation was presented with an overview of the department’s working mechanisms, awareness campaigns, events, and activities conducted internally and externally, aligning with Dubai Customs esteemed reputation.

Furthermore, the Sharjah Housing delegation acquired an understanding of the best media practices adopted by the Corporate Communication Department, showcasing its outstanding performance in enhancing knowledge and media dissemination to all partners. This has resulted in the department establishing and fortifying relationships with local and international media
entities. The presentation also encompassed the factors contributing to the department’s receipt of the award for the Best Government Communication Team in the Sharjah Government Communication Award.

Dr. Ahmed Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director of Government Communication at Sharjah Housing, expressed appreciation for the efforts of Dubai Customs Corporate Communication Department, acknowledging its excellence and significant contribution to enhancing the department’s standing. Dr. Al Nuaimi affirmed Sharjah Housing’s commitment to fostering ongoing visits and meetings with Dubai Customs, aiming to achieve the highest level of coordination and benefit from the Corporate Communication Departmen’s experience in securing numerous local and international awards.

Emirates

Zayed Sustainability Prize opens submissions for 2025 cycle

The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering global sustainability and humanitarian award, has officially announced that the 2025 cycle is now open for submissions. Submissions will be accepted until 23 June 2024 through the Prize’s online portal. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations (NPOs) and high schools with sustainable solutions are invited to submit an entry for consideration in one of the six categories of Heath, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. Commenting on the launch of the 2025 submissions cycle, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President, said: “Since 2008, the
Zayed Sustainability Prize has honoured the legacy of Sheikh Zayed by fostering inclusive sustainable and humanitarian development around the world. In this decisive decade for climate change, these values are more important than ever. I am optimistic that the Prize will contribute to global climate action in line with the UAE Consensus, which will pave the
way toward an effective response to the Global Stocktake decision.” In response to the pressing climate crisis, and to further support the UAE’s efforts to accelerate practical solutions needed to drive climate action and uplift vulnerable communities around the world, the Prize has increased its funds from US $3.6 million to US $5.9 million. The Prize will reward US $1 million to each winner in the organisational categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action. Within the Global High Schools category, which is split into six world regions, each school can claim up to US $150,000 to start or further expand their project. The six world regions of the Global High Schools category are The Americas, Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub- Saharan Africa, South Asia, and East Asia and Pacific. The most recent Zayed Sustainability Prize winners were recognised at an Awards Ceremony held during COP28 UAE. To encourage a broader range of organisations and high schools to participate, the Prize will be accepting submissions in multiple languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese. This will ensure that innovative solutions from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds can be recognised. For the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories, organisations should prove that they are improving access to essential products or services in their targeted communities and are able to implement a long-term vision for better living and working conditions. For the Global High Schools category, projects should be led by students, and must demonstrate innovative approaches to address sustainability challenges. The evaluation of each submission to the Prize consists of a rigorous, three-stage process. First, due diligence is conducted on all submissions to ensure that they meet the Prize’s evaluation criteria of Impact, Innovation, and Inspiration. This identifies the qualified entries and results in the selection of eligible candidates. Following this, evaluations are undertaken by a Selection Committee consisting of category-specific panels of independent international experts. From this shortlist of candidates, the finalists are chosen and then sent to the Prize Jury who unanimously elect the winners across all six categories. Winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced at an Awards Ceremony during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).