H. E. Salem Khamis Al Shair Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director General for Information sector and eGovernment, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, was interviewed for Gov 2.0 Radio. Al Suwaidi threw light on the UAE's progress in the field of eGovernment, discussed results of the recently launched UN eGovernment Survey 2012 and the related initiatives for the near future as per the Federal eGovernment Plan 2012-2014. The interview is probably the 'first-of-its-kind' experience for a government official in the region.

Allison Hornery from Gov 2.0 Radio congratulated Al Suwaidi on the concrete steps he is taking towards building a sustainable eGovernment in the UAE. Al Suwaidi shared with Ms Hornery and the Gov 2.0 Radio audience that the UAE took a major leap in the process of eTransformation when H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai launched the UAE federal portal government.ae in May last year as the one-stop-shop for the UAE government services and information.

Al Suwaidi explained that the portal takes forward the concept of a connected government with its eParticipation section. He said, "With forums, blogs, surveys, polls and links to our various social media accounts, the eParticipation section is proving to be a great tool for citizen engagement."

Al Suwaidi added that many federal entities are increasingly getting keen on maintaining presence on social media. In order for them to be able to use these media to the best of their desired purpose, Emirates eGovernment launched Social Media Guidelines document that lays down certain useful practices and safety measures to be adopted while using the social media.

Allison Hornery then asked Al Suwaidi about his endeavours in Open Data. Al Suwaidi said, "Open Data section is another strong point of the portal which will lead in the mission of our bigger Open Data initiatives. Open Data has been recognised to energise the markets and is regarded as one of the sources of revenue in the economy. It is gaining importance in many countries across the world."

Well aware about the UAE using open source technology for enhancing the federal eGovernment, Ms Hornery quizzed Al Suwaidi on his revolutionary shift to using open source technology for enhancing the federal eGovernment. Al Suwaidi who is known for innovation and has always empowered his team noted that opting for open source technology was a strategic move. "Open source technology frees us from the hegemony of software giants. It offers us the freedom to develop our own solutions and builds regional experience," he said.

Al Suwaidi then spoke about the Federal eGovernment Plan 2012-2014. He said, "By implementing the plan, Emirates eGovernment aims to ease citizen's efforts in accessing the government services and information and increase the UAE's competitiveness in the field of eGovernment."

Al Suwaidi shared some of the initiatives of the Federal eGovernment Plan 2012-2014 which are to: manage the interactive and collaborative electronic encyclopaedia of the UAE (UAEPedia), launch the UAE eGovernment Award and build the computing cloud of the UAE government.

Al Suwaidi also highlighted the UAE's achievements in UN eGovernment Survey 2012. The UAE achieved 28th rank overall, 6th rank on eParticipation index and 7th rank on online service index.

For someone who has experience in leading the eGovernment programme at the federal and local levels, (Al Suwaidi was the Director of eServices at Dubai eGovernment from the year 2000 to 2008), Allison Hornery asked Al Suwaidi on the difference between working at the two levels. Al Suwaidi shared that the difference lies in the level of technological advancement and readiness of some of the federal entities; which is not as much as that of the local entities. "Moreover, the local governments are closer to their citizens and owing to their scale of operation, coordination is not as big a challenge. But the high-level of collaboration and cooperation present at the federal level have helped us successfully deal with challenges," he added.

John Wells, producer at Gov 2.0 Radio, shares, "The Gov 2.0 Radio producers were keen to report on the UAE eGovernment programme after witnessing the delegation to the UN World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva, 2011. We could see the scope and depth of work that had been undertaken and that was continuing."

The UAE is the first to be featured on the radio's 'Country Profile' interviews. "It would appear that the UAE has made substantive leaps forward in their commitment to eGovernment and to encouraging others in their region similarly. There seems to be a firm willingness to continue this evolution towards more connected and open government," he adds.

On choosing Al Suwaidi to be interviewed for the radio, John Wells says, "The Gov 2.0 Radio crew are always looking to interview people who demonstrate a vision and commitment to the principles of connected and open government and who have demonstrated leadership as well as practical, hands-on experience at the coalface of constructive change in government."