Sharjah 24:
The Sharjah Award for Public Finance recently held an online introductory seminar in collaboration with the Civil Service Bureau of Kuwait, alongside participation from the Arab Organisation for Administrative Development. This event aimed to familiarise representatives from relevant Kuwaiti governmental entities with the fourth edition of the award, detailing its objectives, categories, evaluation criteria, and participation mechanisms. The initiative is designed to enhance opportunities for participation in the award and to support efforts in developing public financial management practices across the Arab world.
The seminar, coordinated with the Civil Service Bureau of Kuwait, reflects a shared commitment to increase Kuwaiti governmental participation in the upcoming award cycle. This platform aims to inform institutions and specialised professionals about the various award categories, criteria, and nomination requirements, thereby broadening horizons for showcasing exemplary experiences in public financial management and encouraging innovative practices that enhance the efficiency of government resource management while instilling principles of governance and financial sustainability.
The seminar commenced with opening remarks from representatives of the Civil Service Bureau of Kuwait, the Central Finance Department of Sharjah, and the Arab Organisation for Administrative Development. These remarks highlighted the significance of joint Arab initiatives in elevating public financial management and the role of specialised institutions in promoting institutional development and sharing successful experiences.
The award stands as a leading Arab platform that celebrates qualitative financial achievements, motivating institutions to elevate their performance and enhance their financial systems. In this context, Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Director of the Central Finance Department in Sharjah and Secretary-General of the Sharjah Award for Public Finance, remarked: “This seminar represents an important milestone in strengthening cooperative ties with our Kuwaiti counterparts and expanding awareness of the Sharjah Award for Public Finance among Arab governmental institutions. Our vision is for the award to serve as a leading Arab platform recognising exceptional financial achievements while encouraging institutions to raise their performance standards and develop their financial systems. This continues the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who established a consistent approach to support knowledge and institutional excellence while enhancing cooperation and integration among Arab nations.”
Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi added: “We view the fourth cycle as a new phase in bolstering the Arab presence of the award and attracting diverse institutional experiences that reflect the ongoing developments in government financial management across the region. We appreciate the cooperation with the Civil Service Bureau of Kuwait in organising this seminar and look forward to active participation from Kuwaiti entities and institutions, which will enrich the award with leading models and experiences while enhancing its status as a catalyst for development and excellence in public finance across the Arab world.”
Criteria for Excellence and Measuring Institutional Impact
He further stated: “In the fourth cycle, we are focusing on raising awareness among participating entities about the importance of documenting their experiences and highlighting outcomes through clear indicators. This will aid them in evaluating their practices and identifying opportunities for improvement and development. We hope this seminar provides Kuwaiti governmental entities an in-depth understanding of the award’s requirements and prepares them to participate with submissions that reflect institutional maturity and achievements in the realm of public financial management.”
Overview of the Fourth Cycle and Participation Requirements
The seminar included a comprehensive presentation on the fourth cycle of the Sharjah Award for Public Finance, outlining its goals, key areas, targeted categories, evaluation criteria, and nomination requirements. It also clarified the procedures related to the preparation of participation files, assisting Kuwaiti governmental entities in identifying the most suitable categories for them and preparing to apply according to the established guidelines.
Furthermore, the seminar highlighted the importance of adopting clear institutional methodologies in financial resource management, developing performance measurement mechanisms, and documenting results. This will enable participating entities to showcase their achievements in a manner that reflects the sophistication of their financial and administrative practices.
The seminar allowed participants to raise inquiries related to the award and discuss the technical and organisational aspects of participation, thereby enhancing clarity around nomination requirements and supporting governmental institutions in presenting their experiences and initiatives according to the established standards of excellence.
Promoting a Culture of Excellence in Public Financial Management
This seminar is part of a series of efforts by the Sharjah Award for Public Finance to enhance its presence in Arab countries and provide opportunities for governmental institutions and specialised professionals to learn about its areas and objectives. This initiative aims to expand the base of participants and encourage entities to benefit from the award’s criteria in evaluating their performance and identifying development opportunities.