emirates7 - Sharjah will host the 14th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) on September 10–11, 2025, under the theme “Communication for Quality of Life.” Set to take place at Expo Centre Sharjah, the forum will feature more than 22 interactive platforms aimed at positioning communication as a critical tool in addressing future societal challenges.
Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the event will explore how communication can drive meaningful change across five key areas: food security, public health, education, environmental sustainability, and the green economy—essential pillars for enhancing human well-being.
This year’s forum will place special emphasis on food security as a cornerstone of both social and economic stability. Discussions will focus on how government communication can increase public awareness of sustainable food systems, promote smart farming practices, and support efforts to preserve biodiversity.
With more than 670 million people projected to face undernourishment by 2030—and 258 million already experiencing severe food insecurity—the need for impactful, awareness-driven communication is more urgent than ever. IGCF 2025 aims to bridge the gap between policy and people through responsive messaging that resonates with diverse communities.
The forum will also examine how strategic communication can transform health crises into opportunities to build more informed, resilient populations. It will explore how communication campaigns can address the consequences of food insecurity while helping to close socio-economic gaps. This is particularly relevant given WHO data showing that nearly 45% of deaths in children under five are linked to malnutrition.
Alia Al Suwaidi, Director of SGMB, emphasized that this edition of the forum continues to champion communication as a core element in shaping future-focused strategies and creating long-term societal impact.
“Communication plays a pivotal role in development and quality of life. This year, we are broadening the concept of communication to include environmental, economic, and social dimensions, with sustainability and future generations at the heart of the dialogue,” she said.
Since its inception in 2012, IGCF has grown into a key regional and global platform for thought leadership, bringing together policymakers, experts, and innovators for interdisciplinary dialogue grounded in real-world application.
The 2025 forum will spotlight education as a driver of long-term empowerment, presenting curriculum models tailored to future skills such as sustainable agriculture and advanced technologies. These efforts aim to prepare youth to contribute viable solutions to global issues like climate change and food insecurity.
Additionally, the forum will explore how government communication can influence urban behaviour and promote sustainable lifestyles in future cities—using public campaigns to encourage waste reduction, responsible consumption, and eco-friendly habits.
With 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted globally each year—roughly 31% of all production—despite millions suffering from hunger, IGCF 2025 will underline the urgency of shifting from simply sharing information to reshaping public behaviour through powerful storytelling and relatable messaging.
The forum will highlight the impact of government narratives in building trust and fostering engagement. Storytelling, when used effectively, can inspire behavioural change and mobilize communities toward shared goals, especially around pressing issues like food waste and environmental degradation.
IGCF 2025 will also examine how the green economy supports sustainable food systems and improves quality of life. Discussions will cover the role of public policy and private sector collaboration in adopting low-emission agricultural technologies, which could help cut carbon emissions by up to 30% by 2050.
According to UN research, every dollar invested in sustainable agriculture yields a return of 2.5 times in both economic and social benefits. Moreover, the green economy is projected to over 24 million jobs globally by 2030.
Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the event will explore how communication can drive meaningful change across five key areas: food security, public health, education, environmental sustainability, and the green economy—essential pillars for enhancing human well-being.
This year’s forum will place special emphasis on food security as a cornerstone of both social and economic stability. Discussions will focus on how government communication can increase public awareness of sustainable food systems, promote smart farming practices, and support efforts to preserve biodiversity.
With more than 670 million people projected to face undernourishment by 2030—and 258 million already experiencing severe food insecurity—the need for impactful, awareness-driven communication is more urgent than ever. IGCF 2025 aims to bridge the gap between policy and people through responsive messaging that resonates with diverse communities.
The forum will also examine how strategic communication can transform health crises into opportunities to build more informed, resilient populations. It will explore how communication campaigns can address the consequences of food insecurity while helping to close socio-economic gaps. This is particularly relevant given WHO data showing that nearly 45% of deaths in children under five are linked to malnutrition.
Alia Al Suwaidi, Director of SGMB, emphasized that this edition of the forum continues to champion communication as a core element in shaping future-focused strategies and creating long-term societal impact.
“Communication plays a pivotal role in development and quality of life. This year, we are broadening the concept of communication to include environmental, economic, and social dimensions, with sustainability and future generations at the heart of the dialogue,” she said.
Since its inception in 2012, IGCF has grown into a key regional and global platform for thought leadership, bringing together policymakers, experts, and innovators for interdisciplinary dialogue grounded in real-world application.
The 2025 forum will spotlight education as a driver of long-term empowerment, presenting curriculum models tailored to future skills such as sustainable agriculture and advanced technologies. These efforts aim to prepare youth to contribute viable solutions to global issues like climate change and food insecurity.
Additionally, the forum will explore how government communication can influence urban behaviour and promote sustainable lifestyles in future cities—using public campaigns to encourage waste reduction, responsible consumption, and eco-friendly habits.
With 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted globally each year—roughly 31% of all production—despite millions suffering from hunger, IGCF 2025 will underline the urgency of shifting from simply sharing information to reshaping public behaviour through powerful storytelling and relatable messaging.
The forum will highlight the impact of government narratives in building trust and fostering engagement. Storytelling, when used effectively, can inspire behavioural change and mobilize communities toward shared goals, especially around pressing issues like food waste and environmental degradation.
IGCF 2025 will also examine how the green economy supports sustainable food systems and improves quality of life. Discussions will cover the role of public policy and private sector collaboration in adopting low-emission agricultural technologies, which could help cut carbon emissions by up to 30% by 2050.
According to UN research, every dollar invested in sustainable agriculture yields a return of 2.5 times in both economic and social benefits. Moreover, the green economy is projected to over 24 million jobs globally by 2030.