International Government Communication Forum 2017 Convenes in Sharjah

 The sixth International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017) concluded its first day of constructive dialogue, debate and engagement at the Expo Centre Sharjah, on a successful note.

The event was officially inaugurated with a speech by the patron His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who welcomed the participants. The opening ceremony included keynote speeches by His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Bureau, who announced the launch of the International Government Communication Centre, and His Excellency Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan. His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah attended the official opening ceremony.

Held under the theme ‘Societal Participation and Comprehensive Development,’ IGCF 2017 includes a combination of panel discussions, workshops and interactive dialogue sessions to create maximum engagement and impact for all those attending.

From the climate change and global warming threat, to issues around education, healthcare and economic diversification – attendees and dignitaries of diverse expertise weighed in on tangible strategies and solutions that governments, private sector and civil society can tap into to achieve long-term welfare, growth and sustainability. They drew on the importance of government communication in achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the GCC region.

High-profile attendees on day one included Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States and founder and Chairman of The Climate Reality Project, Dr Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Prize winner, His Excellency Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Executive Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah, Jeffrey Sachs, renowned development economist and Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, His Excellency Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, His Excellency John Bruton, former Prime Minister of Ireland, former EU Ambassador to the US and Chairman of International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) Ireland,  and Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and President of Crescent Petroleum.