Saudi Arabia Sets Digital Innovation Benchmark, Says DGA Chief

Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan
Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan
TT

Saudi Arabia Sets Digital Innovation Benchmark, Says DGA Chief

Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan
Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan

Saudi Arabia is leading the way in digital technology for citizens, residents, visitors, and businesses, according to Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, Governor of the Kingdom’s Digital Government Authority (DGA).
The Kingdom has made major advances in sectors like health, municipalities, and education, affirmed Alsuwaiyan.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Alsuwaiyan noted that Saudi Arabia is now among the top 10 countries globally for digital government.
It ranks sixth in the Global E-Government Development Index, reflecting the government's dedication to becoming a top digital state and improving service efficiency.
Alsuwaiyan reminded that Saudi Arabia is fourth worldwide, first in the region, and second in Asia in the United Nations e-Government Development Index and related measures.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia has achieved significant success in digital government, ranking second globally for digital services among G20 countries and seventh in the e-Participation Index.
The Kingdom surged 25 places in the 2024 UN e-Government Development Index, joining the top 10 worldwide and becoming the first Middle Eastern country to do so.
Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, “Vision 2030,” has driven this progress, boosting the Kingdom from 52nd place in 2018 to sixth this year.
Saudi Arabia also rose 32 spots in the Human Capital Index, now leading globally in digital government skills.
Riyadh is third worldwide in the UN e-Government Development Index, following Tallinn and Madrid, and ranks first in the G20 region. The city excels in regulatory frameworks and providing key public service information.
Alsuwaiyan credited these achievements to a focus on creating impact through technology and effective public-private partnerships.
Efforts to improve infrastructure and foster a supportive investment environment have also contributed to Saudi Arabia's leading role in digital government practices.

 



Putin Approves Military Focused 2025-2027 Budget

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the Governor of the Kirov region in Moscow, Russia, 29 November 2024.  EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFIEV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the Governor of the Kirov region in Moscow, Russia, 29 November 2024. EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFIEV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL
TT

Putin Approves Military Focused 2025-2027 Budget

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the Governor of the Kirov region in Moscow, Russia, 29 November 2024.  EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFIEV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the Governor of the Kirov region in Moscow, Russia, 29 November 2024. EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFIEV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a military focused budget for 2025-2027, a document published on the official legal acts website showed on Sunday.
The state budget for next year includes a 25% hike in military spending but will be the most secretive in post-Soviet history, with almost a third of all spending closed to public scrutiny, Reuters reported.
The government has acknowledged that the needs of what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine and support for the military will remain the budget priority along with social needs and technological development.
The government has presented the draft budget as "balanced", with the deficit falling to 0.5% against this year's projected deficit of 1.7% and state debt remaining below the 20% mark for the next three years.