Accelerating AI and Digital Transformation is an Urgent Necessity
Arab Government Administration Forum at the World Government Summit 2025
Ahmed Aboul Gheit: Achieving sustainable development requires innovative governments.
Ohood Al Roumi: Rethinking productivity in the public sector is essential, leveraging the golden opportunity presented by digital transformation.
Ahmed Al-Rajhi: Arab governments must keep pace with the global AI race by enhancing infrastructure and adopting flexible regulatory frameworks.
Nasser Al-Qahtani: Technology and digital transformation should primarily serve society.
Naguib Sawiris: Government workforce reductions of 70–80% are possible without impacting efficiency.
Prominent Arab ministers, officials, and business leaders gathered to share insights on enhancing productivity and transforming government administration in the digital era at the Arab Government Administration Forum, held as part of the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai.
The forum, organized by the UAE government in collaboration with the Arab Administrative Development Organization, convened over 200 decision-makers, ministers, experts in AI and advanced technology, and representatives of international organizations.
Urgency of AI and Digital Adoption
Participants emphasized that accelerating AI adoption and digital transformation is an urgent necessity for Arab governments.
Discussions covered the impact of digitalization on public sector productivity, strategies for leveraging AI and automation to enhance efficiency, and the role of advanced technologies in shaping future governance.
Golden Opportunity for Productivity Enhancement
Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, UAE Minister of Government Development and the Future and Vice President of the World Government Summit, highlighted how rapid technological advancements offer governments an unprecedented opportunity to boost productivity. She stressed the forum’s role in fostering knowledge exchange and showcasing success stories from across the Arab world.
Digitalization and Public Sector Efficiency
During a session titled “Digitalization and Government Productivity in the Arab World,” Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, discussed the significant transformations in the region, noting that some Arab countries have made great strides in digital transformation.
He emphasized that achieving sustainable development requires governments capable of innovation and high-quality service delivery.
Multiplying Productivity 100 Times
In a panel discussion titled “Multiplying Productivity 100 Times,” Ahmed Al-Rajhi, Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, joined Ohood Al Roumi and Nasser Al-Qahtani, Director-General of the Arab Administrative Development Organization, to discuss the future of productivity in the digital era.
Al Roumi underscored the importance of rethinking productivity in light of new digital opportunities, including AI-powered chatbots, virtual assistants, and automation solutions.
Al-Rajhi pointed out that AI and automation are expected to create 150 million new jobs globally by 2030, while 90 million traditional jobs may disappear, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs.
He stressed the need for Arab nations to invest in advanced infrastructure and adopt flexible regulations to stay competitive in the global AI race.
Revolutionizing Government Workflows
Al-Qahtani emphasized that digital transformation should primarily serve societal well-being and called for integrated frameworks to enhance government performance using AI and data-driven insights.
The State of Arab Government Administration in 2025
A session titled “The State of Arab Government Administration in 2025: Where Do We Stand on Productivity?” presented insights from the Arab Government Administration Report 2025, which provides an in-depth analysis of public sector productivity levels, challenges, and opportunities for transformation.
Experts such as Dr. Yasar Jarrar from the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, Dr. Mona Diab from Carnegie Mellon University, and Shukri Eid, General Manager of IBM Middle East, shared data-driven recommendations for improving government efficiency, emphasizing the role of AI in policy-making, data analysis, and workforce productivity enhancement.
Embracing Private Sector Principles
During an interactive session, Naguib Sawiris, Chairman of Orascom Holding, advocated for adopting private-sector efficiency models in government operations.
He argued that governments could reduce their workforce by 70–80% without impacting service delivery, provided they implement strategic automation and digital transformation initiatives.
Data Centers: The Future of Real Estate
A session titled “Data Centers: The Future of Real Estate” featured Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties, who encouraged shifting focus from traditional real estate to data infrastructure. He highlighted the Middle East and North Africa’s potential to become a global hub for AI and cloud computing.
Cutting Bureaucracy and Enhancing Services
Another session, “GovTech for the People,” explored strategies for reducing bureaucracy and improving service delivery across Arab governments.
Speakers included Ghada Labib, Egypt’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Institutional Development, and Samira Al-Zoubi, Secretary-General of Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship.
They discussed initiatives like Egypt’s Unified Government Services Card and Jordan’s Comprehensive Government Service Centers, which streamline public service access.
Mohammed bin Taliah, Chief of Government Services for the UAE, shared insights on the “Zero Bureaucracy” initiative, which aims to eliminate red tape and accelerate digital government services.
Conclusion: A Call for Action
The forum reinforced that digital transformation is no longer an option but an imperative for Arab governments. Leaders stressed the need for immediate action to modernize infrastructure, reform outdated bureaucratic structures, and harness AI’s potential to revolutionize public sector productivity.
By embracing digital innovation and AI-driven strategies, Arab governments can enhance efficiency, foster economic growth, and deliver superior services to their citizens.
