Sheikh Sultan Opens 14th Sharjah Government Forum on Quality Life

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, opened the 14th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) at Expo Centre Sharjah.

The two-day event, organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), brings together more than 237 speakers from around the world. This year’s theme is “Communication for Quality of Life.”

Leaders and Community at the Opening

The opening was attended by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council. Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, also joined the event.

Their presence shows the importance of the IGCF as a platform that brings leaders, families, and communities together. It highlights how Sharjah focuses on people-first development and communication.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed’s Keynote Address

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed delivered the keynote speech. He shared lessons from history and explained how dialogue and consultation shaped strong societies.

He recalled the leadership of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, the Umayyad ruler known for justice and fairness. Umar reduced poverty, cleared debts, and ensured resources were shared widely. His decisions were not made alone but through discussion and consensus with wise men.

This, Sheikh Sultan said, is an example of how communication and consultation create justice and equality.

“Development requires communication, and decision-making requires dialogue,” he reminded the audience.

Sharjah’s Model of Governance

Sheikh Sultan also explained Sharjah’s approach under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. The emirate focuses on people, culture, and values as the base of development.

He highlighted that children and youth also play a role in decision-making. Platforms like the Sharjah Children’s Shura Council and Sharjah Youth Shura Council give younger generations a voice. These councils work under the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher.

This inclusive model ensures future generations are engaged in building the society they live in.

Communication That Improves People’s Lives

Since its launch, the IGCF has followed one principle: communication must advance people’s lives, not just deliver messages.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed said that each edition of the forum focuses on a clear theme. This theme guides communication practices in the region and the world for an entire year.

For 2025, the theme “Communication for Quality of Life” is directly linked to how governance can improve wellbeing, trust, and community strength.

“Quality of life is not built by laws alone,” Sheikh Sultan explained. “It grows through trust, dialogue, and connection between institutions and people.”

Why Dialogue Matters

The Deputy Ruler stressed that many large projects fail when there is no communication. On the other hand, even small initiatives succeed when people are part of the process.

This is a key lesson for modern governance. Policies must be created with people, not just for them. Dialogue ensures understanding, cooperation, and trust.

Sheikha Jawaher’s Reflections on Community and Family

The first session of the forum featured Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. The session was titled “From Family Awareness to Social Solidarity.”

She spoke about her personal journey. It started with the Al Muntazah Girls Club, which she founded. The club became a safe place for women and girls to play sports, learn new skills, and join cultural activities.

At first, winning the trust of parents was difficult. But once achieved, it helped create a strong foundation for generations of empowered women.

She also spoke about children’s rights. Every child, she said, has the right to live in safety and stability. Wars and conflicts expose children to trauma, which she described as an unethical outcome of human greed.

“Every child has the right to live and grow up in an environment that provides them with safety and psychological stability,” she said.

IGCF as a Global Platform

The International Government Communication Forum is now one of the most important global platforms in its field. It gathers leaders, experts, academics, and civil society groups to discuss the challenges of government communication.

Each year, the forum shares solutions and new ideas that improve how governments connect with people.

The 14th edition is the largest yet. With 237 speakers, the forum shows how Sharjah has become a global hub for dialogue on governance and social wellbeing.

Why “Quality of Life” Is the Focus

In today’s world, quality of life means much more than laws and services. It also includes trust, health, education, safety, and community ties.

Governments must do more than create policies. They need to listen, engage, and act on people’s needs. Communication is central to this process. It builds transparency, ensures accountability, and strengthens resilience during crises.

Sharjah’s choice of this theme reflects a global priority. Around the world, people expect more inclusive governance. Sharjah’s model shows how communication can turn expectations into reality.

Regional and Global Impact

The forum has an impact beyond Sharjah. It strengthens the UAE’s global reputation as a nation that values communication, dialogue, and inclusion.

It also helps the Middle East shape global conversations about governance and quality of life.

By learning from Sharjah’s experience, international participants can apply similar practices in their countries. This makes IGCF a valuable platform for cooperation across borders.

Building Trust for the Future

The message from IGCF 2025 is clear. Governance is not only about rules. It is about trust, dialogue, and partnership with people.

By linking historic lessons with today’s challenges, Sharjah shows how communication can build a better future. The 14th edition of the forum proves that quality of life begins with simple but powerful tools: listening, connecting, and sharing.