Culture & Education | Friday 24 May, 2019 6:07 am |

The Arab Administrative Development Organisation, ARADO, in cooperation with the Government of the United Arab Emirates, has launched the 'Arab Government Excellence Award', which aims to recognise leading Arab ministers and ministries for their outstanding work in advancing governance and administrative practice in the region.

The Award seeks to acknowledge the development and implementation of best practices to advance Arab government excellence, highlighting successful experiences and creating a positive institutional and leadership environment among government sectors across the Arab world.

Commenting on the announcement, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, expressed his optimism on the Arab government excellence development journey. "The Arab League can play a major developmental role for the region," His Highness said, adding, "The Arab Government Excellence Award aims to create a new development movement in the Arab World."

A country that adopts advanced administrative systems will gain a sustainable, fast-paced development journey leading to further prosperity, strength and growth, His Highness emphasised.

"The Arab world's crises are management crises. Successful Arab governments are those that will create successful administrative functions across the education, trade and investment, and healthcare sectors," Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid explained.

"Nations and peoples who have realised the proper management of finances, knowledge, and community, are those that have succeeded in attaining their development renaissance," His Highness noted.

For his part, the Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit praised Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid for his pioneering role in modernising the region. He also thanked His Highness for carrying the Award under his patronage, adding that it represents "a major boost to the Arab government development process."

Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, said, "The Arab Government Excellence Award comes as a new model of partnership between the Government of the UAE and Arab Administrative Development Organisation, which emanates from the League of Arab States."

"Through this award," he added, "We aim to stimulate creativity and innovation in Arab government's administrative policy development. We aim to highlight successful Arab administration models to benefit all in the region."

The Award is open to various government agencies in the Arab world, excluding those in the United Arab Emirates, to ensure a transparent and impartial evaluation and assessment of participants. It includes 15 categories, divided into two subcategories - individuals and institutions. The best Arab minister, the best administrator and the best governor, are some of the categories in which the Award seeks to recognise government excellence in administrative practice.

The Award's purpose is to spread a culture of quality and excellence in Arab countries and to create positive leadership models throughout the region. It focuses on improving the overall performance and development of Arab government bodies and providing them with a platform to exchange best practices and experiences.