His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council (SMC), visited the various pavilions and was briefed about the accompanying activities of the 13th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2024), held at Expo Centre Sharjah. Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) under the theme “Agile Governments… Innovative Communication,” the forum brings together leaders and experts in the field of government communication.

During his tour of the 2-day forum, HH Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi explored the diverse activities and workshops that spotlight best practices for effective government communication in addressing future challenges, offering insights that cater to a wide range of audiences.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi visited several pavilions, representing media organisations, government entities, and private sector companies. He was briefed on their contributions to the forum, including the seminars, lectures, and workshops they offer, showcasing innovative and cutting-edge methods to enhance global government communication.

The Deputy Ruler also officially launched the “Influencer Room” initiative, developed by Sharjah Media City (Shams). This program is designed to support the development of influencers and integrate them into the social media landscape through a series of training workshops. The initiative aims to enable influencers to offer promotional services to companies and organisations, targeting young talents and creatives across various social media platforms.

IGCF agenda is centered around five key themes: “The Impact of Government Communication on Economic Resilience,” “Communication and Adventure Tourism to Boost the Tourism Economy,” “The Role of Effective Communication in Attracting Talent as a Key National Asset,” “The Future of Government Communication in a Virtual World,” and “Communication and Multidimensional Personal Interaction.”

The forum emphasises the role of innovative communication as governments worldwide increasingly embrace the concept of resilient governance to drive innovation and explore future opportunities. By utilising technological solutions, the forum aims to support global efforts to address shared challenges, promote comprehensive sustainable development, and bolster economic resilience, food security, and environmental sustainability.

HH Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi was accompanied on the tour by HE Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau and HE Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council; along with several representatives from local, regional, and international media outlets.