A delegation from the UAE government participated in the Government Experience Exchange Forum in Harare, Zimbabwe, organised as part of the Government Experience Exchange Programme and the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in government modernisation.

The primary objective was to facilitate the exchange of the UAE's exemplary experiences, success stories, and innovative models spanning diverse government sectors.

Jointly organised by the governments of the UAE and Zimbabwe in the capital, Harare, the Government Experience Exchange Forum witnessed the attendance of Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, Vice Presidents of Zimbabwe, alongside a delegation from the UAE government and over 110 officials from the Zimbabwean government.

The primary objective of the forum was to disseminate the UAE's expertise in government development to government officials and policymakers in the Republic of Zimbabwe. The aim was to acquaint them with the latest approaches in government operations, including the development of government services, government innovation, government accelerators, government performance management systems, government excellence, and global competitiveness. The forum also delved into the formulation of policies and strategies, alongside an examination of best government practices in government accelerators and service delivery. Notably, the event highlighted the pioneering experience of Dubai Chambers, which significantly contributed to the economic prosperity of Dubai. Furthermore, interactive workshops were conducted, focusing on tools for future anticipation, scenario building, and fostering adaptability within the government framework.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga of the Republic of Zimbabwe emphasised that the collaboration with the UAE in government development will bolster the Zimbabwean government's efforts to expedite progress towards achieving its Vision 2030. He highlighted the significance of leveraging the best practices and successful experiences pioneered by the UAE government across various government operations, while accelerating the implementation of programmes and projects and incorporating latest developments and innovations in government excellence and service delivery.

He further added that President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe highly values the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. His Highness has been proactive in supporting the government of Zimbabwe under the Government Experience Exchange Programme and across various other development domains, aiming to benefit the government and society of Zimbabwe.

He expressed that the Government Experience Exchange Forum will contribute to the drive for heightened performance and optimal outcomes within the broader context of comprehensive government transformation. This aligns with an ongoing initiative to facilitate the continual reform of government sector institutions and systems, with the aim of ensuring sustained high performance and modernisation.

He highlighted that, building on the excellent bilateral relations with the UAE government, a prominent global player in government work, there is a concerted effort to leverage successful experiences and effectively disseminate, adopt, and adapt best practices in a manner that aligns with the trends of institutional work in Zimbabwe. This strategic approach seeks to enhance the agility and innovation of the government in Zimbabwe.

Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, emphasised the UAE government's strong commitment to broadening partnerships and facilitating knowledge exchange in government development, strengthening the capabilities of governments and augmenting their adaptability and future-readiness. This commitment extends to countries across the African continent and around the world. Lootah noted that this approach aligns with the visionary leadership of the UAE, aiming to actively contribute to empowering countries, governments, and societies to align with the overarching global trend in shaping the future.

He stated that the transfer of innovative models developed by the UAE government to the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe will bolster its endeavours to modernise operational frameworks and mechanisms. This will empower Zimbabwe to cultivate capabilities and competencies, ultimately contributing to the elevation of government performance and efficiency, which will, in turn, have positive ripple effects on the broader society.

Participating in the forum were Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, Vice Presidents of Zimbabwe, Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Frederick Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ziyambi Ziyambi, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Anxious Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, and Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Defence, along with more than 110 Zimbabwean government officials.

From the UAE government, Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, Jassim Al Qasimi, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Zimbabwe, Hassan Al Hashemi, Vice President, International Relations – Dubai Chambers, and a delegation from the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs participated in the forum. Officials from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Emirates Health Services, and the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government also attended the event.

The agenda of the Government Experience Exchange Forum in Zimbabwe included 10 key topics. These included designing policies and strategies, developing government services, government innovation, government accelerators, government performance, government excellence, global competitiveness, future foresight, flexible government, and insights into the best practices developed by Dubai Chambers, contributing to economic prosperity.

Several officials and leaders from ministries and government entities in the UAE, possessing experience and expertise in leading government transformation, participated in interactive sessions and workshops.

The session on "Designing the Best Policies and Strategies" delved into the UAE government's experience in developing, evaluating, and monitoring policies and strategies. It emphasised community involvement in decision-making and policy design. Another session, focusing on "Government Accelerators," explored innovative tools to expedite policy, strategy, and government service implementation, aiming to enhance the quality of life for communities.

The "Government Performance Management System" session provided insights into the UAE government's model for monitoring and developing performance across all sectors, aligning with future visions and development priorities. Additionally, it addressed pivotal monitoring mechanisms, employing methods that are adaptable, rapid, and precise.

In the "Government Excellence" session, the UAE government team highlighted excellence practices in government entities, emphasising modern principles and concepts, along with the government excellence system, to enhance entity capabilities through innovative methods promoting quality, excellence, and leadership.

The "Government Services" session discussed tools and initiatives launched by the UAE government to elevate customer service levels, ensuring efficient services through multiple channels and rapid delivery for a seamless customer experience.

The "Government Innovation" session focused on innovative government models developed by the UAE government, fostering a daily practice of innovation in government work and disseminating best innovation practices to enhance government effectiveness.

The session on "Future Foresight" covered methods and tools for anticipating the future, building scenarios and evaluating their impact, while the "Flexible Government" session underscored leaders' roles in understanding future trends, the Fourth Industrial Revolution variables, and the importance of a digital mindset to enhance performance.

The "Global Competitiveness" session delved into the operational framework of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, which significantly contributes to enhancing the UAE's global competitiveness in statistics and data. The session showcased the regulatory framework governing the statistical sector, playing a pivotal role in establishing a comprehensive national statistical system. This system supports initiatives aimed at elevating the country's competitiveness across various fields and reinforcing its position in global competitiveness reports and indicators.

The forum also delved into the "Dubai Chambers’ Pioneering Experience" and its initiatives significantly contributing to Dubai's economic prosperity. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure shared its successful experience in applying the government accelerators methodology, while Emirates Health Services discussed its role in enhancing healthcare efficiency and quality in the UAE government.

The governments of the UAE and the Republic of Zimbabwe signed a bilateral cooperation agreement during the World Governments Summit 2023 last February. The agreement aims to exchange experiences in government modernisation, enhance government capabilities and human resources in Zimbabwe, and develop various areas of government work, leveraging the UAE's experiences. The cooperation covers nine pillars, including capacity building, public service, government competitiveness, government accelerators, government performance, government excellence, government innovation, and the One Million Coders initiative in Zimbabwe.