Over 1,800 prominent regional and international thought leaders, public and private-sector professionals and communication experts will be in Sharjah for the third edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF).

The forum, themed ‘Different Roles…Mutual Interest’, will be officially declared open by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, at the Expo Centre Sharjah tomorrow (February 23).

The forum, that runs till February 24, commenced today with training workshops by eminent media professionals, said the event organisers Sharjah Media Centre (SMC).

SMC chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi received Mikhail Gorbachev, the last ruling president of the Soviet Union, Felipe Calderon, former president of Mexico, Alastair Campbell, the director of Communications and Strategy to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and James Wolfensohn, the former president of the World Bank.

Accompanied by Osama Samra, the director of SMC, the official also welcomed the esteemed guests that include 40 administrative, political and media leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, Korea, France, Mexico, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and the GCC.

The forum will discuss the positive impact of government communication on the relationship between governments and their audiences, including citizens, government officials, private sector, public utility commissions and different media stakeholders, the organisers stated.

IGCF 2014 will also explore the role that government communications could play in improving a country’s image and influencing its economic, social, and political future.

The theme emerges from the IGCF’s overall vision, and is aligned with SMC’s ongoing efforts to develop government communication mechanisms for the benefit of public-sector organisations in the UAE and the wider region, they added.-TradeArabia News Service