Technological workshop on digital ID applications concludes

The participants in the technological workshop on the digital ID applications have praised the technological achievements accomplished by the UAE and its striking success in adopting a leading program for issuing smart ID cards as per the world’s highest and most advanced standards.

They noted the latest reports of the World Economic Forum, in which the UAE ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and 23^rd worldwide out of 133 countries in information and communication technology (ICT), ahead of such advanced countries as Ireland, Italy, Spain etc., in a clear indication of the successful efforts of the UAE government in building a diverse and flexible knowledge-based economy that rests on innovation and excellence.

The workshop, which concluded in Abu Dhabi yesterday (Tuesday), valued the efforts exerted by the UAE as well as its implementation of a number of strategic projects and initiatives as part of its bid to achieve the strategic objectives and projects of the UAE.

The workshop also hailed the Emirates Identity Authority’s prominent role in enriching the dedicated scientific research movement as embodied in the Emirates Identity Authority’s success in completing tens of dedicated scientific and technological researches and studies, which had been published in a number of world-reputed journals and periodicals of prestigious scientific position.

In addition, the workshop recommended that an executive plan be devised for following up the implementation of the strategic plan related to the formulation of a detailed framework to interpret the digital ID project and consider it as the “technological constitution” of the digital ID applications, through which the execution routes would be determined and clear performance indicators and outputs would be laid down, provided that they would be measured as per their results.

The workshop called for benefiting from the experiences of advanced countries in terms of the project’s infrastructure and the building of strategic partnerships and for continuing to hold technological workshops with the Emirates Identity Authority’s strategic partners for the purpose of formulating the general strategy for activating the digital ID applications and involving the public and private sectors in implementing this strategy.

On the other hand, the workshop recommended to extend bridges of co-operation with the higher education institutions and to work with them for devising the programs that would contribute to spreading the thinking related to the ID card concepts and technologies and electronic encryption software due to their importance and role in supporting the national economy.

The workshop also recommended to focus on developing and updating electronic reader software in line with the requirements of the beneficiaries in both the government and private sectors, develop the technological documents aimed at broadening and facilitating the use of these developed software and track the development and improvement of the technological infrastructure that serves the activation project of ID applications in a bid to ensure high quality and maintain continuous provision of the Electronic Certification Center’s services related to the substantiation and verification of ID card processes so as to keep pace with the technological development currently taking place in the UAE.

Meanwhile, Al Khouri stressed the Emirates Identity Authority’s endeavor and keenness to respond to the data of the strategic thinking which the UAE prudent leadership’s vision is distinguished for with the aim of implanting the concepts of modern strategic management in the performance of all the sectors operating in the UAE and working in line with the advanced concepts of this strategic thinking.

He stated that the Emirates Identity Authority would carry on its process of development and performance in line with the scientific approach and clear vision, which govern all the Emirates Identity Authority’s projects and performance indicators and ensure that they comply and are in line with the UAE supreme leadership’s requirements and keen development vision.

He said the digital ID project is “the project of the future” and is regarded as a direct reflection of the rapid development of the digital economy worldwide, noting that the vital value of the project would effectively contribute to consolidating the concept of “secure electronic economy” in the UAE through the provision of services for verifying IDs and substantiating the credibility of the ID card used for completing online procedures via the Internet and other electronic channels.

Al Khouri highlighted the Emirates Identity Authority’s keenness on establishing and strengthening relations with its strategic partners in both the public and private sectors and also on building more partnerships with the aim of ensuring successful implementation of the digital ID project, which is one of the most prominent and vital strategic projects at the UAE level.

The Emirates Identity Authority will start co-ordinating with a number of universities and higher education institutions in the UAE to lay down the frameworks required for encouraging scientific research in the field of digital ID applications, he said, noting that the Emirates Identity Authority would provide adequate support to those with creative and innovative ideas in the fields related to the Emirates Identity Authority’s work and mission.

It is noteworthy that the workshop saw efficient participation of a large number of experts and senior researchers at the European universities as well as specialists in electronic encryption and security and protection of infrastructures related to the solutions of digital ID applications. These experts, researchers and specialists discussed over two days the opportunities available in the UAE for coming out with a tight strategy to activate the digital ID applications over the upcoming years.