The Emirate of Sharjah is hosting the 14th edition of the International Government Communication Forum on September 10 and 11 under the theme “Communication for Quality of Life,” featuring more than 22 interactive platforms at Expo Centre Sharjah.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, will deliver the opening speech. The event serves as a global intellectual platform exploring the future relationship between governments and societies from a communication perspective, placing community needs at the heart of public priorities.

This year’s forum, organized by the Sharjah Government Media Office, offers an integrated vision to expand communication roles into an effective tool impacting food security, public health, education, environmental sustainability, and the green economy — all sharing the common goal of improving human quality of life.

Food Security

The forum addresses “food security” as a pillar of social and economic stability, reviewing how government communication can contribute to building sustainable food awareness and encouraging the adoption of agricultural systems and modern technologies that optimize resource use and preserve biodiversity.

United Nations reports indicate that around 670 million people may face malnutrition by 2030, with about 258 million currently suffering from severe food insecurity.

These alarming figures underscore the need for effective communication strategies linking community awareness with sovereign decisions, turning messages into real tools for change.

Turning Crises into Opportunities

The role of communication in transforming health crises into opportunities for building more aware and responsive communities is highlighted through communication strategies and campaigns that mitigate the effects of food insecurity and address economic and social gaps. The World Health Organization confirms that 45% of deaths among children under five are linked to malnutrition.

Strategy Engineering

Alia Al Suwaidi, Director of the Media Office, points out that this year’s forum continues to establish the concept of communication as a fundamental element in engineering strategies and leading positive change. Communication enhances community participation and builds the relationship between government and public based on transparency, trust, and empowerment.

Since its launch in 2012, the forum has established itself as an influential intellectual platform regionally and internationally, bringing together decision-makers, thinkers, and experts in a multidisciplinary dialogue to address global challenges from a communication perspective and to present models and strategies based on knowledge and experience.

Education: A Bridge to Solutions

The forum places special importance on education as a long-term communication tool to empower generations, showcasing models for curriculum development linked to future skills such as sustainable agriculture and modern technology.

In a related context, the forum discusses the role of government communication in reshaping urban behavior and lifestyles in future cities through awareness campaigns promoting concepts of waste reduction, recycling, and environmentally responsible living.

Statistics show that humanity wastes about 1.3 billion tons of food annually, equivalent to 31% of global production, while millions suffer from hunger.

Government Narratives

The forum introduces the concept of government narratives as a prominent tool that delivers information and helps shape new awareness, strengthening the relationship between governments and the public through participatory institutional storytelling.

It also presents an effective government narrative perspective that moves beyond merely promoting policies to simulating people’s needs in a humane language.

In topics such as food waste and climate change, it serves as a means of persuasion, a tool for behavior change, and an emotional and social motivator that creates a transformation in concepts and habits.

Green Economy

The forum also discusses the role of the green economy in food sustainability and quality of life, highlighting opportunities provided by government policies and partnerships with the private sector to adopt agricultural practices and technologies that reduce carbon emissions by up to 30% by 2050.

United Nations studies indicate that every dollar invested in sustainable agriculture returns economic and social benefits 2.5 times over, while the green economy could create 24 million jobs globally by 2030.

The forum highlights the role of media and government narratives in reshaping individual behavior, encouraging individuals and institutions to adopt a more conscious and responsible lifestyle. It also discusses green economy opportunities in creating new jobs, expanding environmental justice, and the role of communication in building partnerships that enhance trust between governments and communities.

Digital Media for Cyber Immunity

One session discusses the integration between digital media and government communication in building a safer and more sustainable digital environment for various community groups and establishing a digital system that enhances cyber immunity.

Key topics to be discussed include:

• The contribution of digital media in prevention, detection, and awareness against cyber threats.
• The role of digital media in supporting national cybersecurity strategies.
• Methods to counter misinformation campaigns and information attacks.
• The role of local and international laws in combating cybercrime.
• Mechanisms for establishing joint campaigns between government entities and media to raise community cyber immunity.
• The importance of understanding types of cybercrime and their impacts on individuals, companies, and government institutions.
• The impact of media campaigns in enhancing digital safety awareness and reducing potential risks.

Journalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Digital transformations and the AI boom have changed journalism and media concepts and the ways of producing and presenting news content. With this increasing integration between journalism and digital technologies, the debate over reliance on AI in journalism has emerged, encompassing various dimensions of professional and ethical positives and negatives. The discussion opens dialogue on the reality of journalism in the AI era, the challenges, and the massive development this integration has caused, aiming to find mechanisms and visions to create professional balances between traditional journalistic values and AI tools.

Artificial Intelligence and Its Legal Applications

The presence of AI in various life aspects has created an urgent need for deeper understanding of how to employ this technology in vital sectors, foremost education, legislation, and government communication. AI technologies have become a significant driver of individuals’ quality of life, evident in developing proactive healthcare systems, improving food resource management, and smart urban planning responsive to population needs. They also contribute to enhancing food security by predicting agricultural seasons and climate crises, improving supply chains, and boosting health security through early diagnosis tools, medical data management, and guiding health policies based on precise analysis. This session addresses AI transformations locally and globally, focusing on its legal applications, impact on professional practices, and the importance of building ethical and legislative frameworks that keep pace with this technological development, ensuring humans remain central to the development process.