The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), the first research and teaching institution focusing on governance and public policy in the Arab world, has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Economic Cities Authority to develop government operations and skills across the region.

The two parties pledged, in the agreement, to cooperate in developing and implementing joint projects in the fields of training, education, leadership development, scientific research, and documentation of government practices based on government knowledge, international best practices, and competitive values.

The signing of the MoU was attended by His Excellency Eng. Emad bin Mohammed Hashim, Deputy Secretary-General of the Economic Cities Authority; and Fadi Raafat Majdli, the Authority’s General Manager of Support Services; in addition to MBRSG’s Executive President H.E. Dr Ali Sebaa Al Marri; along with Dean Raed Awamleh; Nadia Amanallah Kamali, Director of Business Development and Strategic Alliances; and Aisha Al Shamsi, Director of Executive Education Programs at MBRSG.

H.E. Dr Ali Sebaa Al Marri said: “Cooperating with government entities across the Arab world is a strategic goal for the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, and a stepping stone to our vision of tailoring government operations and outputs to meet general trends and developments. We are committed to developing the skills and competencies of Arab leaders, and enriching their knowledge to remain on top of the rapid changes affecting the government sector. This, in turn, leads to better decision making and helps officials meet the challenges that face the government sector all around the Arab world.”

“The MoU embodies the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership, who has called for unifying efforts and coordinating with government institutions at the local and regional levels, especially with Saudi Arabia,” H.E. added.

The agreement covers five main areas of cooperation: specialised training, research and studies, events, consultancy services, and the exchange of experiences. Both parties will work together to improve operations and develop management practices for the Economic Cities Authority in Saudi Arabia. This provides the Authority with access to MBRSG’s advanced programmes, which prepares and empowers the former to implement the most advanced mechanisms and practices, to effectively carry out its role.

H.E. Eng. Emad Hashem said: “With this partnership agreement, we are looking to strengthen our cooperation with the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, acquire the necessary academic and practical knowledge that will improve our services, empower our staff, and promote a culture of institutional excellence, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 and its future directions. We are delighted to be working in close collaboration with MBRSG, one of the most important sources of professional knowledge and experience in the region and the world.”

For her part, Nadia Kamali said: “The MoU with the Economic Cities Authority reflects the leading position that the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government has come to occupy, as well as its effective local, regional and global role in the field of spreading government knowledge to improve administrative performance, and provide officials with the best consulting services, in addition to coordinating joint activities that serve public interests.”

The agreement also states that both sides shall cooperate in carrying out research and studies, publishing and documenting the best experiences, practices and services, and sharing statistics about public administration and partnerships with the private sector and other areas of strategic importance to both parties. In the MoU, signatories commit to providing advisory and consultancy services, ensuring joint cooperation and the exchange of experiences by enlisting trainers and experts in the field of public administration from both sides, in addition to experts from the private sector offering specialised training programmes and workshops.