GovTech Innovation Forum & Awards looks to a ‘reimagined future'
The GovTech Innovation Forum & Awards 2025 was held recently at the splendid Ritz Carlton JBR, Dubai under the theme of 'Reimagining the future of tomorrow with AI'.
The awards are designed to celebrate the incredible achievements of those in our public sector, who every single day are leveraging the power of technology to improve the lives of every citizen across the UAE. Winners must demonstrate that they have executed their projects in uncommon, innovative ways: pioneering a new technology, applying a familiar technology to a new purpose and setting the bar higher for their competitors.
Attendees were also provided with unique access to network with some of the most prominent individuals that work for government entities from across the UAE in addition to witnessing several keynote presentations and on-stage discussions.
The event began with a welcome note by CNME editor Mark Forker, which was then followed by two back-to-back keynote speeches from Rehan Shahid, Regional Channel & Alliances Manager – Middle East & Pakistan, Hitachi Vantara and Thomas Rizkallah, Regional Sales
Director – MENA, CITRIX respectively.
Following these addresses, the event moved into its panel discussion for the evening moderated by Mark Forker titled 'Exploring the Future of AI Governance in the UAE: Challenges, Opportunities, and Global Leadership'. The panellist present included Anas Elsadig Eltahir, Francois Van Deventer, Director & CTO – Emerging Markets at CITRIX, Dr. Jassim Haji, President for the International Group of Artificial Intelligence and Renan De Lima, Solutions Consultant at Hitachi Vantara. During the panel they explored the need for greater AI governance frameworks, the impact of the US-UAE Stargate Initiative, and the challenge posed by a skills shortage when it comes to AI.
Prior to starting the awards ceremony there was one last keynote speech by Ahmed Soliman, Country Manager at Pure Storage, followed by a presentation by Ekta Puthran, Sales & Regional Marketing Director, Barco and Georges Lemire, Area Vice President, EMEA, Neat. The pre-awards proceedings concluded with a fireside chat between Wolfgang Kroj, GM Sales, Middle East and Africa, Hitachi Vantara and Mark Forker. Wolfgang was excited about the 'pace' of AI, the importance of strong leadership and the need to understand the concept of 'cultural intelligence'.
Kausar Syed, Group Publishing Director at CPI Media Group, said the event was a celebration of the extraordinary progress and success that has been by public sector across the UAE over the last 12 months.
'In other markets across the world, people look to the private sector to innovate and create, but across the Middle East, and especially in the UAE, it is the public sector, and the vision of the government that inspires so much entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation and weaves that into every fabric of our society. The remarkable success of government tech entities across the UAE stands as a testament to the nation's vision for a digitally empowered future. These organizations are not only setting new benchmarks for innovation and efficiency but are also inspiring a global shift toward smarter governance,' said Syed.
The Winners of the GovTech Innovation Forum & Awards 2025 included:
IT Team Excellence of the Year – Dubai Airports
Ajman IT Department of the Year – Department of Digital Ajman
AI Implementation of the Year – Dubai Police
Government IT Leader of the Year – Dr. Majeda Mohamed Al Marzooqi from EDGE Group PJSC
Ras Al Khaimah IT Department of the Year – Public Services Department, Government of Ras Al Khaimah
Customer Happiness Entity of the Year – Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Government of Dubai
Government IT Trailblazer of the Year – Zainab Alnajjar from Al Kuwait Hospital Dubai, Emirates Health Services
Government Pioneer of the Year – Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA)
Sharjah IT Department of the Year – Sharjah Airports
Sustainable IT Leader of the Year – Farah Alsheraifi from Daman Health
Digital Transformation Enabler for Public Sector – Citrix
Data-Centric Security Leader of the Year – Seclore
Excellence in AI-Ready Infrastructure – Hitachi Vantara
Technology Business Leader of the Year – Feras Al Jabi from ITQAN Al Khaleej Computers
Best AI Analytics Solution Provider of the Year – Raqmiyat
Most Innovative AI Powered Pro AV Solutions Provider of the Year – Avientek
Woman in Government of the Year – Her Excellency Mubaraka Ibrahim from Emirates Health Services
Record Braker Personality of the Year – Fady Richmany from Commvault
Dubai IT Department of the Year – Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans)
Pioneer Woman of the Year in Government Leadership – Aisha Awadh Alhemeiri from the Department of Community Development, Government of Abu Dhabi
AI for Good Award – Dubai Future Foundation
Digital Transformation Project of the Year – Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA)
Knowledge and Innovation Leader of the Year – Jinson Pappachan from Emirates Policy Center
Umm Al Quwain IT Department of the Year – Smart Umm Al Quwain
Government IT Leader of the Year – Abdalla Al Ali from Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCC)
Mobile App of the Year – The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP)
Public and Private Partnership of the Year – Emirates Integrated Registries Company (EIRC)
Excellence in Talent Leadership Award – Rayan Awad from Ports & Customs Freezone Corporation
Innovative Initiative of the Year – The Ministry of Community Empowerment
Best AI Innovation of the Year for Business Transformation – The Ministry of Finance – United Arab Emirates
Future IT Leader of the Year – Eng. Hamda AlMaazmi from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP)
Best AI Implementation of the Year in Education – His Highness Sheikh Nasser Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Centre
Best AI Governance Framework of the Year – Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Government of Dubai
Smart City Initiative of the Year – Abu Dhabi Mobility
Knowledge and Innovation Excellence – Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)
Government Leader of the Year – Anas Elsadig Eltahir
Image Credit: CPI Media Group
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