Empowering the Future of Governance: Insights and Innovation at the GEC Government Technology Summit 2024

The GEC Media Group’s recent summit brought together government leaders, industry experts, and technology pioneers to discuss the transformative power of digital strategies, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity in public services. The event featured a rich lineup of speakers and panelists, offering valuable insights into critical areas of governance, innovation, and security.

The evening commenced with Jeevan Thankappan, Managing Editor of GEC Media Group, addressing the audience with a welcome note. His opening set the tone for a thought-provoking dialogue on leveraging technology to enhance citizen experiences.

A key highlight was the panel discussion on the role of AI in public services, moderated by Zaheer Kazi, Information Security Senior Specialist at the Ministry of Interior. Panelists included Dr. Hamad Khalifa Alnuaimi from Abu Dhabi Police GHQ, Noman Ejaz representing a government entity, Satheshwaran Manoharan of ADQ Aviation and Aerospace, and Imran Khan from DEWA. They explored how AI-driven solutions are revolutionizing operational efficiency, citizen engagement, and policy-making.

In another engaging panel discussion, cybersecurity challenges specific to the BFSI sector were tackled under the moderation of Flavio Carvalho, CISO Iberia at Group Credit Agricole. The panelists, Dennis Pokupec of Creditplus Bank AG, Neha Yadav from Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and Saqar Al Ali from Sharjah Finance Department, shared strategies for safeguarding data, transactions, and compliance with global standards.

Vendor keynotes further enriched the dialogue, with Amit Mathur of Ensurity Technologies discussing effective cybersecurity measures for air-gapped government infrastructures and Mohamed Djenane from Seclore presenting on the transformations anticipated by 2030. Nasir Manzoor, Business Unit Head at AV Tech First Gulf FZ LLC, also shared groundbreaking insights during his keynote.

The final panel focused on digital governance and shared services, moderated by Jeevan Thankappan. Panelists included Kelly Machado, Hessa Almatroosi of Free Zones Authority Ajman, Suzan Alghanem from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and Annu Chouraria, an expert in IT Governance and Risk Management. The discussion centered on collaborative models for efficient service delivery and the challenges of implementing shared services.

The summit concluded with a celebration of the Top 20 Government Champions, recognizing exemplary contributions to advancing public services. A networking dinner provided attendees an opportunity to exchange ideas and build connections, wrapping up a successful and inspiring event.

This summit reaffirmed the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and security in shaping the future of governance, leaving participants with actionable strategies to navigate an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Finally the event was concluded by awarding top government digital transformation champions: