H.E. Salem Khamis Al Shair Al Suwaidi, Director General, Emirates eGovernment, welcomed the attendees. He said, "The workshop is in line with our role to support the federal government entities to improve their websites and adopt the best and latest eGovernment practices."

"The aim is to look at the websites objectively and focus on areas of developing the websites. The points of feedback should be regarded as opportunities for improvement. I sincerely hope that such reviewing enhances the websites and the level of eTransformation in the UAE," Al Suwaidi added.

Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment and Water, Emirates Identity Authority and Ministry of Social Affairs participated in the workshop.

Richard Kerby, Senior Inter-Regional Advisor, Division for Public Administration and Development Management at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DPADM/UNDESA) reviewed the websites as part of his advisory mission to the UAE.

The workshop was divided into two sections. In the first section, Kerby briefed the participants on the established standards and the parameters on which the websites are reviewed. In the second section, Kerby reviewed websites for compliance with the established standards, ease of navigation, features provided, quality and quantity of content amongst some other relevant parameters. Such reviewing is essential for the websites to be in line with the established standards and best practices.

The workshop is part of the itinerary of Kerby's 10-day visit to the UAE. Emirates eGovernment invited Kerby to the UAE to fulfil its national-level project of developing and enhancing federal government websites to be on par with the established international standards and best practices.

Emirates eGovernment will hold more such workshops in the next week.

"I thank the entities for participating in the workshop and hope that our brothers from other ministries continue to lend us their support in serving the UAE," said Al Suwaidi.