Co-operation with OECD
The UAE regularly partners with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to organise the annual meeting of the MENA-OECD Working Group on open and innovative government, with the shared objective of developing and leading inclusive digital maturity. As part of the MENA-OECD Governance Programme, this collaboration supports peer-to-peer exchange among OECD Member countries and their partners in the MENA region, with the aim of transforming governance for future-ready, citizen-centred, innovative and digitally enabled governments.
The last such meeting was held in April 2025 under the theme - Shaping the Future Together: Digital Transformation and Innovation to Enhance Engagement and Digital Services in the MENA Region. The purpose of that meeting was to continue building on previous discussions of the MENA-OECD Working Group on Open and Innovative Government, concentrating on the synergies that governments can identify in being more open, digital and innovative, and how this approach can contribute to promoting greater citizen and stakeholder participation in the MENA region.
The meeting was held over two days and saw the participation of distinguished government officials from Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Mauritania, Palestine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, the UK and Yemen; with speakers from the governments of Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Spain and the UK.
Decision-makers and experts discussed ways to enhance digital transformation in governments that would enable them to deliver more inclusive, innovative and responsive public services. The UAE presented its approach to service design and delivery, highlighting the key challenges and opportunities in the area of digital government transformation.
The OECD, in turn, presented its approach to delivering integrated and inclusive public services, showcasing the OECD Digital Government Policy Framework along with key tools and recommendations that support inclusivity and improve user experience. It also shared its approach to engage and innovate with citizens for more accessible and inclusive public services.
The agenda also featured a panel on leveraging technology for effective governance and accountability in the MENA region, as well as discussions on building an enabling environment for trustworthy AI in public services.
The workshop concluded with an interactive session that introduced models and mechanisms for testing and developing digital services. Participants applied these models to selected government services in collaboration with representatives from federal entities, aiming to assess inclusivity and accessibility across all stages of the user journey. Practical and implementable solutions were proposed to address service delivery challenges and improve accessibility for all.
Through this workshop, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to fostering a constructive dialogue that supports comprehensive digital transformation across the region. It also aims to enhance knowledge-exchange and share successful experiences between countries, helping establish innovative government models capable of effectively responding to the aspirations of digital-era communities.