Tariq Saeed Allay during the inspection visit.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), has underscored the strategic importance of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) in leveraging the standards of government communication practices in the region and the world. He pointed out that IGCF, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has reinforced the emirate’s regional role in implementing a range of initiatives that contribute to the community’s progress and prosperity.

Allay made these remarks during his visit to Expo Centre Sharjah to oversee the final preparation of the 10th edition of IGCF, which will be held next Sunday and Monday from September 26 -27 under the theme, ‘Historic Lessons, Future Ambitions.’

The SGMB Director General reviewed the final preparations for the forum, which convenes 79 communication experts from 11 countries. He reviewed the logistic preparations and inspected the halls designated for hosting various interactive sessions, panel discussions, and training workshops.

During the tour, Allay met the heads of IGCF’s various organising committees. He thanked them and expressed his appreciation for their efforts and keenness to ensure a successful edition that befits the outstanding role of the event. He noted that the forum has become a platform to showcase best practices that support government communication teams regionally and globally.

Highlighting the importance of IGCF 2021, the Director General said: “We look forward to seeing this edition further advance IGCF’s achievements of the past 9 years, and present modern government communication strategies and innovative visions of local and international experts through this specialised platform. Eminent thinkers and strategists from around the globe will present unique approaches and tools relevant to current government communication needs with the aim of fostering a transparent relationship based on trust and credibility with the public.”

A safe forum: In line with the UAE’s COVID-19 precautionary measures, the IGCF management has implemented strict health and safety protocols throughout the venue including temperature checks at all entry points, stringent cleaning procedures, strict social distancing policies, spaced seating following safe distance rules at workshop and seminar sites, and provision of hand sanitisers to ensure the safety of all visitors and participants.

All forum participants, visitors and members of media will need to either show the forum’s security personnel at the Expo Centre entrance a Green Pass on the Al Hosn mobile application or produce a negative PCR result.

Dedicated teams will implement the guidelines for regular disinfection of common areas across the venue; disinfection of workshop booths, main auditorium, and lecture halls after the completion of each session; in addition to an overnight sterilisation of the Expo Centre.

Held under the theme ‘Historic Lessons, Future Ambitions’, the 10th edition of IGCF aims to evaluate the historical experience of government communication, discuss its current realities, and envision its future. The two-day forum will also review mechanisms, tools, and changes in public perceptions regionally and internationally. It will discuss the necessity of establishing transformation-ready mechanisms in these rapidly changing times to create a sustainable future and achieve societal aspirations. It will analyse government communication responses towards crises and devise scientific strategies that lay the foundation for effective communication mechanisms.

An earlier report said the sudden and global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the immense value and importance of developing collective awareness via effective government communication. Taking cognisance of this key component of effective governance, the 10th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) will host a timely and topical discussion titled, Government Communication Methodologies & their Impact on Collective Awareness, on September 27 at Sharjah Expo Centre.

A panel of experts will convene to highlight key and emerging strategies for raising public awareness and educating them through various government communication tools and methods, beginning with the development of speeches; choosing the type of speech, language and timing based on a situation; as well as choosing the most effective method of communication.