Saudi Arabia e-government development index score highest in its history
In its 2022 survey, The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) ranked Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Sultanate of Oman as the highest indicator of e-government development, noting that the study also showed a greater global trend to rely on digital governments.
Maria Francesca Spatolisano, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, noted that this survey is the leading global assessment of the digital government landscape in all 193 member states of the UN.
It rates how countries are performing when it comes to providing digital services and engaging people online in public affairs. Also, this study has been conducted every two years, and for two decades. It was launched this year amid major crises in the world, and the ongoing digital divisions that lead to the spread of misinformation, in addition to the spread of poverty and social insecurity.
“Technology is rapidly changing the way people live, work and communicate,” she said. On the other hand, increasing digitization has given rise to its challenges such as digital issues, privacy concerns, and cybersecurity.”
The 2022 survey revealed, according to Spatolisano, many new results, most notably that the development of digital government has contributed to an irreversible shift in public administration, as there is no longer a clear distinction or separation between what is government and what is e-government (due to their interrelationship).
The study showed that the “Covid-19” epidemic forced governments to rethink the role of digitization, and prompted them to provide innovative digital solutions for more responsiveness, agility, and flexibility. It also showed that the future is not entirely digital, but rather focuses on getting people to work.
She pointed out that “the digital government is the key to the future of governments in preparing for future crises and shocks that we expect or have not yet predicted, wars and emergencies, as we have witnessed how e-government plays a role in Ukraine” in managing people’s affairs despite the war in it.
She explained that successful digital governments are distinguished by providing reliable automated services, which people can access at any time from anywhere at their convenience while respecting privacy and protecting personal data.