Sharjah: H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, honoured the winners of the 12th Sharjah Government Communication Award during a ceremony at the Sharjah Expo Centre. The event, attended by H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah, marked the conclusion of the 14th International Government Communication Forum.
According to Emirates News Agency, the ceremony was organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau and celebrated various achievements in government communication. H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi received recognition as the 'Distinguished Personality in Government and Strategic Communication' for her role in leveraging communication for impactful change.
Sheikha Bodour's contributions span academic leadership, creative economy, cultural advancement, and community engagement. Her work in securing UNESCO recognition for Sharjah's 'Faya Palaeolandscape' as a World Heritage Site exemplifies strategic communication's role in heritage preservation and elevating Sharjah's global standing.
The ceremony began with a speech by Alia Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, highlighting the foundational power of communication. Al Suwaidi emphasised that the award celebrates transparency, accountability, creativity, and innovation, all contributing to the success of communication leaders in Sharjah.
Sami Al Reyami, a member of the judging panel, noted the award's focus on communication as a development pillar. The 12th edition attracted over 2,600 submissions, with 600 qualifying for consideration. Al Reyami praised the quality of entries and suggested further criteria development to enhance innovation visibility.
H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi presented awards across multiple categories. Dubai's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship and Port Security was recognised for Best Integrated Communication System. The Ministry of Media in Saudi Arabia received the Best Innovation in Government Communication award. Other notable winners included the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture of Nigeria.
The event also acknowledged achievements in communication targeting youth, crisis communication strategies, and enhancing quality of life. Dubai Police and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development were among the honoured entities. The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language and the Mulhemoon Association of Bahrain were celebrated for their respective contributions.
The ceremony featured several special partnered awards, recognising contributions to AI technology, sustainable development, food security, and flexible communication initiatives. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi also honoured jury members for their evaluative roles.
The award ceremony witnessed attendance from Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, and other senior officials and representatives of participating entities.