Tariq Saeed Allay delivers his keynote speech at International Government Communication Forum at the Expo Centre Sharjah. Kamal Kassim/Gulf Today

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

Communication is vital in achieving sustainability as well as long-lasting relationships and how this is conveyed, speaks volumes. This was the message in the keynote speech of Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) Director General Tariq Saeed Allay at 11th annual edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), ongoing at the Expo Centre Sharjah.

The summit, which began in 2012 and which has become the platform for ways and means to bring about the best practices in the formulation of communication policies on the regional and global scale, is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah. It is organised by the International Government Communication Centre, an SGMB initiative.

Inaugurated by Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council, the event was keynoted by Allay and Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council.

In putting across his message, Allay mentioned about the onslaught of negative news in all forms of communication channels.

He also highlighted the statement “Talk, so I can see you,” which has been commonly used in various art forms and coaching avenues, in the midst of the cacophony and melody of life.

“Communication is reality from which knowledge is derived and explored. Talk so I can see you because in the absence of communication, if you do not communicate, you do not exist,” he said.

Allay stressed too, that whoever communicates improperly or incorrectly may make others get a wrong impression of him and of whatever the communication is all about.

He delved on the function of government offices: “Government communication is tantamount to giving life to the body that exercises it. Through it, the communicator shines light on their culture and vision and bolsters their presence in society.”

Allay noted that the forum with the theme “Challenges and Solutions,” will deliberate the most prominent issues in the world, (what cause these to prevail), aiming to confirm, correct or reformulate them.”

“Today, communication is tantamount to giving life to the body that exercises it. Through it, the communicator shines light on their culture and vision, and bolsters their presence in society.”