On this occasion, HE the Interior Minister delivered the following address:

I am pleased to welcome you to your second home, the Kingdom of Bahrain, as we host the seventh edition of the GCC Digital Government Award 2026. Through this event, we continue to celebrate excellence and innovation in Gulf government operations and the progress and innovation achieved in digital transformation across GCC countries.

These achievements are made possible by the support extended to the Gulf development process by Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of GCC countries, which has contributed to the development of government operations, improved service efficiency, and strengthened the GCC’s position in the global digital government landscape.

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests,

Under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain has made significant progress in digital development and the use of modern technology to serve society and improve people’s lives.

In this context, we also commend the support and follow-up of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and his continued interest in constructive initiatives to develop government performance, based on the understanding that the future belongs to those who invest most in people, science and technology.

Data has become a strategic resource, making digital transformation a fundamental pillar in building an economy capable of addressing challenges, improving the efficiency of government institutions and enhancing the quality of life for citizens and residents.

To reinforce this approach, it is essential to strengthen digital readiness, promote cybersecurity awareness across society and institutions, and protect critical infrastructure and data centres, key elements of the security system, especially in light of the hostile target of regional security.

Practical experience has demonstrated that security, development and investment in technology are closely interconnected. Joint action and rapid coordination in responding to the evolving nature of security and emerging challenges have become essential, particularly as technology and artificial intelligence transcend borders and cyberspace has become an open environment for activity without permission or restrictions.

Digital infrastructure security has become an integral part of national security and countries’ ability to withstand challenges and maintain continuity. This requires continued GCC cooperation in cybersecurity, enhanced readiness, the exchange of expertise and information, and the uninterrupted provision of vital services under all circumstances.

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests,

The advanced results achieved by GCC countries in international indicators, including their ranking among the leading countries and those with very high scores in the United Nations E-Government Development Index, as well as their classification within the highest global tier for cybersecurity in the International Telecommunication Union’s report, reflect the success of the Gulf experience and the strength of its foundations.

However, Gulf ambitions extend beyond these achievements towards an even more advanced stage. The future requires GCC governments to move from digital transformation to digital integration, and from developing services within each country’s borders to building a comprehensive, interconnected system through which Gulf citizens can experience the benefits of cooperation in their daily lives and complete their applications quickly and without complications.

Our aspirations are therefore not limited to providing digital services, but to delivering integrated, proactive and reliable services. Government institutions must move from responding to requests towards anticipating needs, using data, systems and modern technologies to provide the right service at the right time, simplify procedures, reduce processing times and strengthen confidence in government institutions.

This highlights the importance of artificial intelligence as one of the defining features of the future of digital government, offering opportunities to improve performance, increase productivity, support decision-making and develop services. 

"This requires continued joint GCC efforts to establish frameworks, principles and ethical guidelines governing the use of artificial intelligence in the government sector.

In this regard, I am proud that the GCC Ministerial Committee for E-Government adopted Bahrain’s initiative on the Guiding Manual on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Use, establishing a Gulf framework that promotes the responsible and secure use of AI while reinforcing human values, privacy protection, and trust in these technologies.

We look forward to building on this achievement by implementing initiatives under the GCC Guiding Artificial Intelligence Strategy, approved today by the GCC Ministerial Committee for Digital Government.

In conclusion, Bahrain’s hosting of the seventh edition of the GCC Digital Government Award in 2026 reaffirms our commitment to supporting joint Gulf action and strengthening cooperation and the exchange of expertise.

I extend my sincere congratulations to the winning entities and projects and appreciate the efforts of all participating organisations.

I also commend the GCC General Secretariat, the government authorities responsible for digital government across member states, Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority, all working teams, experts and judging committee members for their contributions to the success of this edition. I wish the award continued progress and excellence.

For his part, GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, praising the support, patronage and attention extended to joint Gulf action by Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of GCC countries.

The GCC Secretary-General noted that member states, guided by their leaders' wise visions, recognised the importance of early investment in digital infrastructure, government service development, national capacity-building, and the adoption of modern technologies.

He explained that these efforts have yielded significant achievements, strengthening the GCC countries' advanced position in international digital government indicators and demonstrating their ability to keep pace with rapid technological developments and contribute to leading models for government service delivery.

The Secretary-General affirmed that the GCC Digital Government Award holds particular significance, as it is not merely an occasion to honour winning entities but also a Gulf platform for identifying outstanding ideas, encouraging innovation and transforming successful experiences into opportunities for development and mutual benefit.

He added that the award’s true value is measured not only by the number of winners but also by the ability to share successful experiences, benefit from innovative solutions and transform individual achievements into added value for joint Gulf action.

Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed praised the visions and approaches outlined in HE the Interior Minister’s address, reflecting continued attention to developing government operations, advancing digital transformation and strengthening the integration of technological development with cybersecurity and data protection requirements.

He expressed appreciation for HE the Interior Minister’s continued support for digital initiatives and projects and his commitment to improving the quality and efficiency of government services to meet the needs of citizens and residents and enhance their confidence in services provided according to the highest standards of reliability and security.

He reviewed the GCC countries' significant achievements in digital transformation, including the development of thousands of integrated digital government services and the implementation of numerous technological projects and initiatives that have improved government performance and strengthened the GCC’s position among the world’s leading countries in digital government.

He noted that the advanced results and international leadership achieved by GCC countries across global indicators reflect the implementation of Gulf digital strategies and joint GCC efforts led by the GCC Ministerial Committee for Digital Government and its affiliated committees, particularly the Executive Committee and technical committees.

He added that these efforts have strengthened coordination and integration among member states, supported the exchange of expertise and contributed to developing joint digital initiatives and projects.

The ceremony featured a short film highlighting the award, its previous editions, and its role in encouraging digital government activities and initiatives across GCC countries.

HE the Interior Minister, Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communications Technology, and the GCC Secretary-General then honoured the 2026 GCC Digital Government Award winners across nine categories.

Members of the judging committee and the award’s founders from GCC countries were also honoured.

HE the Interior Minister congratulated the winners on their innovative contributions to developing digital services and wished all participants continued success in serving the people of GCC countries.