WGS issues ‘The Next Evolution of Government' report

emirates7 - The World Governments Summit Organisation, in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, released the report *"The Next Evolution of Government: Navigating Digital"*, which outlines a significant shift in the role of governments. This transformation moves from governments being central service providers to becoming active ecosystems that enable citizens to access services in a digital space, ensuring reliability, privacy, security, and equality.

The report emphasizes the critical role of governments in providing shared digital platforms for service delivery. It also addresses the challenges governments face in adapting to the digital era, such as ensuring digital equality, regulatory oversight, cybersecurity, and safeguarding national sovereignty.

To address these challenges, the report presents solutions that require rethinking the government's role in the digital space to ensure equitable and secure access. It outlines three key pillars and two models of digital platforms that will shape the future of governments.

According to the report, for governments to develop effectively in the digital age, they must play an active role in the development of relevant regulations, oversight, and supervision. The report highlights several success principles for governments, including agility to meet personalized expectations, inclusivity in making digital services accessible to all, skill development, and ensuring transparency in the use of technology and data.

Governments must also be accountable for both service providers and users in terms of technology and data, ensuring the security of personal data and protecting it from breaches or unauthorized access, while respecting privacy and fostering innovation in technology use.

The report traces the evolution of government work, which traditionally includes maintaining sovereignty, stability, public order, regulating the economy, and ensuring the fair distribution of resources. It introduces the "Government as a Platform" model, which consolidates government services into a unified digital center with open standards, APIs, and standardized data, ensuring integrity, security, and transparency.

The concept of "Government as a Platform" also involves reimagining IT infrastructure to a central digital hub that enhances interoperability, reduces costs, and improves service delivery across various departments.

Mohamed Yousef Al Sharhan, Managing Director of the World Governments Summit, emphasized the Summit's commitment to expanding governmental knowledge and readiness for the future, helping governments anticipate changes driven by rapid technological advancements.

Adel Alfalasi, CEO of Oliver Wyman UAE and partner in the Government and Public Institutions Practice, highlighted that the report addresses critical risks and opportunities, exploring digital platform models that will shape the next phase of government evolution.

Additionally, the World Governments Summit announced it has partnered with nine leading consulting firms and research think tanks to produce a series of reports and studies aimed at identifying key trends and opportunities for governments. These reports will focus on shaping the future of governments worldwide by studying global shifts and challenges, identifying priorities, and developing new methods and work mechanisms to enhance future government readiness.