Geneva, 26th May 2015

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2015 opened Monday 25th May, at the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland with a remarkable participation by the United Arab Emirates. The General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunications Sector (TRA) led the UAE official delegation along with representatives from several government entities including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labor, Dubai Courts, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Red Crescent Authority.

"On behalf of the UAE delegation, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to the ITU and WSIS officials for inviting us here to witness the results of our collective efforts over the past year. The implementation of a true information society is the ultimate product to which all ITU activities are structured. Hence the importance of this year's forum titled 'Enabling ICTs for Sustainable Development', which looks ahead of the achieved goals and experiments new opportunities in pursuit of the long term global digital transformation," said H.E. Engr. Majed Al Mesmar, TRA Deputy Director General for Telecommunications Sector and head of the official delegation delivering the UAE speech.

"Today, we reaffirm the UAE's commitment to the announced and upcoming initiatives around the Information Society. As we proceed hand-in-hand with your esteemed organization, we aim to continue formulating every aspect of our lives to revolve around the concept of innovation in ICT. With that being said, we look forward to working together throughout WSIS Forum 2015, in the spirit of international cooperation and sustainable growth," H.E. added.

H.E. Maher Al Obed, Ministry of Labor Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection Affairs, confirmed that the Smart Inspection System, which the ministry is contributing with at the World Summit Award for the Information Society in 2015, is one of the most important regulatory and inspection tools launched by the ministry. The tool is set to achieve results supporting special operations particularly for control operations and crises combat.

Al Obed noted that the Smart Inspection System enables the ministry to identify indicators and real data from the nation's labor market in a clear manner. In addition, it supports the operational plan for inspection, based on the data and information analysis from establishments registered with the Ministry, through internal regulations, such as WPS and complaints from unions and other systems that monitor everything under the contract between the employer and the worker.

He also explained that the system comes within the framework of the Ministry's proposal to apply a number of innovative initiatives, in order to enhance inspection tools that enable the sector to adequately carry out duties as required. Especially, in light of the small number of inspectors in comparison to the number of facilities registered with the ministry and their employees.

The Ministry of Labor Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection Affairs also added that the ministry is working through the system to create an institutional partnership between the market's concerned parties. This also includes working on establishing a real database for private sector enterprises registered in the ministry, as well as to measure the efficiency of the labor law and its implementation decisions in controlling the market.

Regarding the participation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry within the official state delegation, Abdul Aziz Hamid Al Houli, Director of Information Technology said, "The World Summit on Information Society is a leading global event that is in response to the nation's vision to continue in the efforts towards excellence and the provision of smart and electronic services. As such, it breathes life into the aspirations and wishes of the political leadership, and assures the Chamber's participation in international events specialized in the field of information and digital services for the best global reach in this field and the best applications and practices. The Chamber aims to collaborate with TRA to recognize the WSA categories in all their details, in the hopes of participating in next year's session.

This has an effective and influential role on the development of mechanisms, quality and nature of the electronic services provided by the Chamber to the local businesses community, along with its impact on the development of the business environment and to attract investments to the UAE in general."

Al Houli praised the ability of the TRA to raise the qualifications and performance of the UAE's government agencies through a variety of initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development of the state and improve value-added services to the public.

ADNOC stated: "We continue to invest in the latest information and communication technologies to ensure quality and excellence in all our operations and activities, through the provision of the latest technology and infrastructure. This is to maintain our position as one of the world's largest companies, regarding the use of the latest information systems, to achieve the highest degree of coordination at the level of the information society in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi."

ADNOC's participation represents the importance of a data infrastructure as a fundamental pillar of the Abu Dhabi mGovernment initiatives. Thus, allowing the exchange of information in a safe and effective manner, thereby stimulating economic development and achieving the desired progress and growth in all fields. As such, reaching the highest international standards of services in the community and contributing to enhancing the competitive advantage of Abu Dhabi.

The TRA participated as the platinum sponsor of this year's Forum, which mirrors the close relationship between the ITU and TRA. The strategic partnership between both is contributing and supporting the Union's efforts to promote a culture of excellence and innovation, in all areas related to the global ICT sector. This includes all efforts and initiatives directed towards fulfilling the World Summit recommendations, in achieving the highest degree of coordination among the global information society.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a high-level international forum that provides a significant platform for coordinating efforts between various countries of the world in ICT and digital content key issues. Today, almost 12 years after Geneva Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action which was adopted in December 2003, the Global Event's role to establish a common ground to lay down and draft a global common vision with well-defined objectives for the ICT sector, has appeared to be more crucial. The second phase, which was launched in Tunisia in 2005, provided solid political support for what is known today as the Tunis Agenda, which is dedicated to provide a road map to building, and supporting the World Summit Information Society. It also contributed in achieving the goals, which have emerged from the Summit, and the Millennium Development Goals, which in turn crafts a framework for the development of information societies for a better future.

The winners of the WSIS Projects Prizes will be announced tomorrow during a big ceremony attended by representatives from all countries of the world.

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About the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
TRA is building the core ICT regulatory framework for the UAE's burgeoning knowledge economy. ICT development underpins economic growth and social advancement, and is a critical pillar in the nation's broader 2021 Vision.

The TRA supports the UAE's ICT sector by safeguarding competition to protect the interests of subscribers, enhancing the readiness of e-services, encouraging investment, innovation and development, whilst facilitating a broader ecosystem for human capital development.

For more information about the TRA, please visit: www.tra.gov.ae

© Press Release 2015