The Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre (ADSIC) recently conducted a workshop on the implementation of a government circular making ID cards compulsory for individual transactions at all government agencies.

Around 150 representatives from 45 government entities – comprising mostly IT managers and applications and data specialists – attended the session, which discussed implementation approaches and provided a common understanding of the government circular.

A detailed presentation on the provisions of the circular and its relevance to the strategic vision of the Government of Abu Dhabi in terms of delivering modern and unique services for all segments of UAE society was presented in detail by ADSIC.

The centre then introduced a clear methodology and mechanism of action for ensuring the effective use of the ID cards in government departments and entities. The development and immediate implementation of application plans with other government-related agencies were discussed as well.

Afterwards, Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA), the independent federal authority overseeing the execution of the UAE’s Population Register and ID Card Programmes, delivered a detailed presentation on the advantages and features of the ID card, the nature of the personal and critical data stored, and the safety and security standards applied.

To give a practical and realistic example, the General Command of the Abu Dhabi Police shared its successful experience in deploying the ID card in various systems, particularly for Federal Traffic and Licensing. They discussed the tangible benefits of ID implementation in terms of protecting data, preventing redundancy, improving services, and ensuring timeliness.

The workshop stimulated a lot of interaction and dialogue among the attendees, as ADSIC provided the necessary guidelines for government-related entities in Abu Dhabi to effectively apply and optimize the terms of the circular. ADSIC in collaboration with EIDA will provide support and guidance on how data can be properly read from the ID cards.

During the event, ADSIC also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EIDA. Under the terms of the MoU, both parties will strengthen their existing partnership to achieve common goals and unify services to customers from various segments and age groups.

“The Emirates ID cards will eventually be required for all governmental transactions in Abu Dhabi.  It is therefore imperative that government departments are on the same page on how the cards should be enforced and used. Through initiatives such as this workshop ADSIC intends to lay common grounds for the correct implementation of the national ID programme. The Centre will continue to collaborate closely with EIDA to ensure that the programme achieves its goals and contributes to Abu Dhabi’s growth plans,” said Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, director general of ADSIC.

“EIDA is committed to providing the right tools and processes to successfully integrate the functionality of the Emirates ID cards within the electronic governance systems of Abu Dhabi,” said Ali Mohamed Al Khouri, director general, EIDA.

“Our aim is not only to make IDs, but more importantly to empower individuals with the use of technology to perform key government transactions. By partnering with ADSIC, we will be able to realize even higher levels of connectivity, convenience and service quality for the benefit of the public and all our stakeholders,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service