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Saudi Digital Authority to Augment Investment in Govt Technology

Saudi Arabia establishes the Digital Government Authority (DGA)… Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah al-Swaha in the upper left portrait | Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia establishes the Digital Government Authority (DGA)… Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah al-Swaha in the upper left portrait | Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Digital Authority to Augment Investment in Govt Technology

Saudi Arabia establishes the Digital Government Authority (DGA)… Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah al-Swaha in the upper left portrait | Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia establishes the Digital Government Authority (DGA)… Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah al-Swaha in the upper left portrait | Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Cabinet approval on Tuesday for the establishment of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) is expected to raise the kingdom’s place in the UN e-government ranking by adopting digital transformation in government services on a par with international standards.

Abdullah al-Swaha, the Saudi minister of communications and information technology and chairman of the National Digital Transformation Unit, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the historic move will provide integrated and seamless digital proactive services.

The DGA, according to al-Swaha, will help in achieving key objectives, most important of which is augmenting returns on government digital assets and investments. It will also work on developing the digital capabilities and talents of public sector employees.

The minister added that the authority opens up new horizons in digital government services through proactive and integrated digital services, especially that the world became more reliant on digital transformation as a pillar for success in 2020.

Mansur al-Obaid, head of the information and communications committee at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the DGA will be able to unite efforts under rich initiatives for digital transformation.

Today, Saudi Arabia has over 1,500 government websites that offer a range of 4,000 e-services, al-Obaid noted.

DGA will help prepare a national e-government strategy and organize the work of digital government, including platforms, websites, services, and e-government networks.

This comes in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to improve the Kingdom’s ranking to be among the top five countries in e-governance by 2030.

According to al-Obaid, the DGA will improve the experience of clients and users, increase efficiency rates, and attract investments at a higher rate.

Al-Obaid added that the authority will enhance mechanisms adopted by government agencies and help achieve sustainability by stimulating creativity and promoting innovative work models.

The scope of DGA’s work will encompass vital sectors like education, health, and transportation.

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Saudi Arabia Tackles Carbon Management Challenges at COP 29

Speakers participate in a discussion session in the Saudi pavilion during the COP29. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Speakers participate in a discussion session in the Saudi pavilion during the COP29. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Tackles Carbon Management Challenges at COP 29

Speakers participate in a discussion session in the Saudi pavilion during the COP29. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Speakers participate in a discussion session in the Saudi pavilion during the COP29. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

During a panel discussion titled, “The Carbon Management Challenge: Scaling Carbon Management to Gigaton Levels” at the Saudi Pavilion at COP 29, speakers highlighted the critical role of international collaboration in advancing carbon capture technologies and emphasized Saudi Arabia’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

The discussion focused on Saudi Arabia’s adoption of the Circular Carbon Economy framework, which centers on four key pillars: reducing emissions, reusing carbon, recycling, and removing carbon.

The participants pointed to the importance of international cooperation in developing new carbon capture technologies and establishing independent carbon transport and storage projects. According to reports, over 50 advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects are currently in progress globally, with a combined capacity of 50 million tons. Furthermore, investment decisions have been made for 44 additional CCS projects under development around the world.

The session also explored advancements in various industries, such as the cement sector. Countries like Japan, China, and European nations have made significant progress in carbon capture technologies, while emerging economies such as Canada and Thailand are working on financing decarbonization efforts in the cement industry.

The speakers underscored the crucial role of governments in enabling these initiatives by making financial investments and developing the necessary infrastructure. They also pointed out that supportive government policies are essential for driving these projects forward and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. This aligns with the Clean Energy Ministerial’s focus on advancing policies for carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies.

The participants further stressed that global goals to reduce emissions and combat climate change can only be achieved through international cooperation, robust policy frameworks, and the sharing of expertise across all stakeholders.