More than 2,000 people attended the two-day event sponsored by DEWA

Saeed Al Tayer: DEWA has achieved global best practices with the transmission and distribution of electricity

Ohood Al Roumi: UAE Government has adopted a model that includes happiness and positivity in the workplace

Three memoranda were signed over the two-day event

Dubai: The Dubai Forum for Government Best Practices concluded yesterday with the signing of a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a roster of local and international speakers and interactive workshops. The two-day event, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is organized by the Dubai Government Excellence Program and is an incubator for many of the ideas that have shaped the Government of Dubai.

At the conclusion of the event, the Dubai Government Excellence Program issued recommendations for on the application of inspiration for positive change. The recommendations were drawn from international best practices and success stories in government work.

The forum highlighted the importance of setting ambitious, even impossible goals, as a source of institutional and individual inspiration. Speakers at the event agreed that it is necessary to work hard and to exercise diligence, excellence, innovation and leadership in order to implement these goals and reflect the vision of the UAE’s leaders.

Her Excellency Ohood Al Roumi, Minister of State for Health and Quality of Life, delivered a talk entitled, "An Inspirational Government That Makes the Future and Makes People Happy", a nod to the theme of the forum and to her area of expertise. H.E. Al Roumi announced that the government of the UAE has adopted an exceptional method for the delivery of happiness and positivity in the field of government. This method incorporates the principles of happiness and positivity in government initiatives, programs and policies.

H.E. Al Roumi said: “The UAE Government believes that, in order to achieve the best results and enhance productivity, we must provide an environment of happiness and positivity. This environment must reflect the levels of happiness and qualities of the lives we want to lead.”

During her session, H.E. Al Roumi said it is crucial that federal and local entities integrate their efforts to make happiness and positivity part of the institutional identity, work methodology and community culture. The National Program for Happiness and Positivity was established to assist with this integration, she said, and it welcomes the inclusion of more experiences and best practices from both the public and private sectors. Al Roumi then reviewed the objectives and themes of the National Program for Happiness and Positivity and the government’s initiatives in the field of happiness.

The audience also heard inspiring stories from Hessa Abdullah Al Tanaiji, CEO of the General Authority of Sports, and Salah Al Hashimi, Executive Chairman of the Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation, and Suhail Saeed Al Ketbi of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program, all of whom have applied best practices and deployed initiatives in their fields that have made employees and customers happier and more satisfied.

Leading government agencies

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), hosted the session entitled "The Leading Government Entity" in which he discussed the authority’s track record of innovations. DEWA has won the Dubai Government Excellence Program Award in Government Performance for four consecutive years, and was honored at the twentieth session of the award ceremony in April. DEWA was recognized for achieving global standards in excellence and performance in its specialty, particularly in regards to access, human resources and management, and the optimal utilization of technical assets.

Commenting on the forum, Dr. Ahmed Al Nusseirat, General Coordinator of the Dubai Government Excellence Program, said that the forum provides a range of creative ideas every year, and continues to demonstrate Dubai’s ability to reach the highest levels of excellence in all aspects of government work.

“We are not surprised by the large number of participants at the 10th Dubai Forum. The Dubai Forum for Government Best Practices has always been an incubator for many of the ideas that have shaped the Government of Dubai. This year’s forum continued to encourage all employees to perform at their best and deliver innovation and inspiration at work,” he said.

Dr. Nusseirat continued: “The new activities that we have launched this year attracted more participants than ever before, and established the forum as a platform for leadership and innovation. The most important of these new ideas is Dubai Innovates, a new contest that encourages outstanding employees to rethink the status quo.”

New ideas and positive impressions

In a first for the forum, three memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed at the two-day event. The Dubai Government Excellence Program entered a strategic partnership with Dubai Quality Group today, a like-minded partner that evaluates international best practices and encourages their adoption. The MoU was signed by Dr. Ahmed Al Nusseirat and Fatima Buti Al Mheiri, chairman of Dubai Quality Group. The two government bodies hope to facilitate communication and jumpstart joint initiatives that will elevate productivity, creativity and efficiency in the Government of Dubai.

The Dubai Government Excellence Program and Dubai Quality Group are both charged with driving productivity and performance across public and private sectors Dubai. The new strategic partnership will better facilitate the exchange of knowledge between the two entities, consolidating their training programs and facilitating the exchange of the methodologies they each use to assess global best practices and arbitrate committees.

The Dubai Quality Group announced that it will spearhead the launch of the first joint training program between the two entities, the Smart Training Program for the Private Sector of Dubai. In addition to training sessions, the Dubai Government Excellence Program and Dubai Quality Group will also organize workshops, seminars and conferences. 

A memorandum was also signed between the Dubai Government Excellence Program and Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award (SKEA), a program launched by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ADCCI) to catalyzed the continuous improvement and competitiveness of the Abu Dhabi business sector. The MoU was signed by Dr. Ahmed Nusseirat and Professor Hadi Mohammed Al-Tijani, General Coordinator of SKEA. The MoU aims to establish strategic cooperation and knowledge-sharing in the field of excellence in both the public and private sectors.

Distinguished dialogue

Eng. Abdul Mohsen Ibrhaim Abdulrahman Younis, Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Mohammed Ali Rashid Lootah Executive Director of Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Sector, Department of Economic Development, Sultan Al Akraf, Director of Real Estate Registration Department at Dubai Land Department, Al Mazrouei, Director of Project Delivery at Dubai Aerospace Engineering Foundation.

Government agencies in conversation

The forum agenda’s included parallel sessions and parallel lectures by government agencies that have won the Dubai Government Excellence Program Award. Mohammed Abdulrahman, Director of Strategy and Outlook at Dubai Courts, led a session reviewing the efforts that the Courts have taken to achieve institutional happiness. He specifically detailed the Judicial Motivation Program and the Management Stimulus Program, and discussed their impact on competitiveness and the efficiency of judicial processes.

Eng. Ahmed Mahboub, Director of Customer Service at RTA delivered a workshop on the keys to customer satisfaction and reviewed the authority’s goal of balancing the expansion of customer service with enhancing the efficiency of services through the application of best practices.

Parallel lectures were also led by DEWA, the event’s main sponsor, Dubai Police General Command and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs in Dubai. DEWA’s Eng. Marwan Bin Haidar, Vice President, Innovation and Future, reviewed DEWA’s approaches to innovation and creativity and how the authority delivers the latest technology-based services, including artificial intelligence and robotics, customer happiness in Ibn Battuta Mall and Smart applications. He also pointed out what the authority has achieved as a result of their innovation strategies and the patents that they have filed.

Khalid Al Baluki, Deputy Assistant Director General for Financial Resources and Services at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs Dubai, reviewed the directorate’s approach to enabling People of Determination to work seamlessly, including training employees on best practices and Dubai’s directives.

Houssam Juma Mohammed at Dubai Customs provided an overview of his customs experience in another session.

During his lecture, Mr. Mohammed said: “Dubai is the preferred site of trade because of its efficient and smart customs procedure, and this has resulted in Dubai’s status as a leading customs authority. It is the responsibility of Dubai Customs to maintain and elevate this reputation. One of the ways we do this is by providing multiple, smart service channels that contribute to customer satisfaction. In line with the strategy of sustainable development, Dubai Customs has developed several intelligent channels and 97% of its processes are now handled electronically.”

Interactive workshops

The Dubai Forum for Government Best Practices also included four workshops to build the capacities of attendees. Marwan Al Nimer, Director of Customer Account Management at LinkedIn ran a session entitled, “Building your brand,” and Amer Al Sayegh, Project Manager at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center and the National Space Program delivered a hands-on-session. Additionally, the forum concluded with a workshop on how to promote innovation through the arts, led by Emirati artist Farah Al-Fadah, and event dubbed “Inspiration Café”, an interactive session based on concepts that stimulate inspiration and lead to more forward-looking proposals. Led by Development Consultant Wasfi Al-Rousan, the session combined a set of tools and well known concepts to induce sparks of creativity.

Forum recommendations

Accessing best practices and success stories is one of the most important ways to find inspiration. Similarly, learning at either the institutional or individual levels must be sustained through inspiration

Setting ambitious and sometimes almost impossible goals can inspire individuals and organizations to strive for change. We must work diligently, sincerely and passionately to achieve our goals through excellence, innovation and entrepreneurship

An inspiring leader is one who influences others, motivates and teaches those whom he manages, and enhances their ability to work and achieve the goals of the institution

Expo is a real opportunity for learning and inspiration. Dubai Expo 2020 is an opportunity to inspire the world by demonstrating Dubai’s expertise in the areas of excellence, innovation and leadership; it is also a chance for residents and citizens of Dubai to learn from international best practices.

Achieving the happiness of the people is the first task of the government and the reason for its existence. It is the responsibility of all government employees, leaders and employees to strive for its achievement

Positive energy and a culture of happiness must be imparted to our children in the early stages of education. That is how we ensure that we create a generation of heroes who are happy and inspired

Charity and volunteer activities at the institutional and individual levels are crucial because they are sources of inspiration and happiness

Government agencies in Dubai have become a source of inspiration and learning for the private sector locally, regionally and internationally in the areas of excellence and innovation

About the Dubai Government Excellence Program

The Dubai Government Excellence Program was established in 1997 under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to improve excellence and leadership in government processes and develop the public sector performance. It also aims to establish a culture of excellence and innovation in government work, according to the standards, models and best practices adopted in this regard, as well as to raise the necessary reports to the Executive Council.

About The Executive Council:

The Executive Council of Dubai was established under the law no. (3) of 2003 to assist the Ruler in performing his duties and exercising his powers. The Council is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The First Deputy Chairman is Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whereas Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum is the Second Deputy Chairman.

The Executive Council is the supreme decision-making body, under the ultimate supervision of His Highness President of Dubai, regarding drafting the general policies, overseeing the implementation of the local and federal laws in Dubai, approving the drafts of laws and decrees, approving the development plans, and establishing and organising the various government bodies. The Council consists of the Director Generals and the CEOs of government authorities and entities.

About the General Secretariat:

The General Secretariat of the Executive Council was established under Law No. (3) of 2003, to carry out a set of functions and tasks aimed at supporting the Executive Council in developing and adopting appropriate decisions, policies and strategies, as well as monitoring and following up their implementation by government agencies. The General Secretariat is also responsible for providing technical support in the preparation of the Dubai Strategic Plan and the strategies of the various sectors. It is responsible for managing government programs targeting excellence in government processes and services, offering suggestions that develop and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector, and coordinating the activities of the Executive Council and Sector Committees.

© Press Release 2017