The ‘Best Mobile Government Service Award’, one of ‘the World GovTech Award’ competitions, has opened the registration for participating in the fifth edition of the 2018 award, from 15th to 30th October 2017.

The annual award, inspired by the vision of the Vice President and Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and organised by the Prime Minister’s Office in the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, in cooperation with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, aims to motivate and encourage government entities to provide innovative solutions in the field of smartphone applications, for the provision of government services around the clock through simple and easy means, regardless of the location, and in a smooth interactive framework that meets the requirements for happiness.

Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director-General, said, "The success of the award, and its continuation for the fifth consecutive year, is a visible indicator of the strong culture of innovation in government entities, as well as the broad implementation of the smart transformation process in the country. This award is in line with TRA’s goals in enhancing a smart lifestyle in the UAE and developing government services, making the UAE one of the best countries in the world to live in."

Al Mansoori said that the requirements of modern life necessitate identifying solutions and services that meet the customers’ expectations. "This is the era of smartphones, which have become a basis for innovation, as well as economic and commercial trends, and others. Thus, it is necessary to focus on the development of services and solutions through mobile devices, as they meet the customers’ requirements and aspirations, and constitute an important factor in their happiness," he added.

Al Mansoori highlighted that the UAE’s wise leadership has foreseen the future of services and modern technologies for a long time, and has been in the lead in the direction of a transition to an e-lifestyle and smart transformation, assuring that the UAE has achieved leading global positions in the field of smart transformation and ICT.

The number of participants in the award is expected to increase at the level of participating government entities and the number of competing applications, due to the high reputation of the award. This has been an element in enhancing the participants’ base during the successive years, as the number of evaluated participating applications increased 54 percent in 2016 compared to 2014.

In its fifth edition, the award seeks to enhance the confidence and respect it has acquired globally, and to upgrade the quality of participation, as part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts, to develop government mobile applications, and its overall mission to improve the lives of government customers in the country and worldwide.

The number of evaluated applications in 2016 reached 2,299, compared to 1,612 applications in 2015, and 1,087 applications in 2014. The total number of national applications submitted by Emirati entities reached 227 applications.

The award presents seven challenges in different categories that would improve people’s lives, make them happier, and enable governments to achieve integration in service provision. Winners will be announced during the World GovTech Award ceremony and will be invited to attend the World Government Summit, which will be held in Dubai in February 2018.

Government entities and stakeholders at the national, regional and international level, wishing to participate in the competition, have been invited to submit their applications through the award website, within the specified deadline.