Riyadh: Riyadh will host the 19th edition of the International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV), under the patronage of the Digital Government Authority, with the participation of more than 700 specialists representing 60 countries. Held under the theme 'Strengthening Digital Governance through Innovation, Human-Centered and Trustworthy Services,' the conference is organized by the United Nations University in collaboration with Prince Sultan University, from September 28 to October 1, 2026, in a step that reflects Saudi Arabia's growing presence on the global digital government landscape.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Governor of the Digital Government Authority Eng. Ahmed bin Mohammed Alsuwaiyan noted that hosting the conference in Riyadh reaffirms Saudi Arabia's role in leading global digital transformation and strengthening its presence across international platforms focused on advancing digital governments. He highlighted Saudi Arabia's role in fostering international cooperation in this field, adding that hosting the conference in Riyadh reflects the accelerating national direction toward adopting advanced technologies. This also aligns with designating 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, supporting the development of government services and maximizing their impact on beneficiaries.
President of Prince Sultan University Dr. Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Yamani expressed the university's pride in co-organizing this international event with the United Nations University, affirming that hosting the conference in Saudi Arabia reflects its advanced position in digital government. He added that it further strengthens Saudi Arabia's role as a regional hub for dialogue and knowledge exchange in technology and governance, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Hosting the conference in Riyadh holds particular significance for the region, as it contributes to strengthening Saudi Arabia's position as a regional hub for technological innovation. It also opens broader horizons for knowledge transfer and the exchange of expertise with leading global experts and decision-makers, while supporting national capacity building, talent development, and enhancing opportunities for international partnerships in digital governance and emerging technologies.
The United Nations University is an international academic and research institution within the United Nations system, dedicated to supporting global efforts to address development challenges through scientific research and capacity building-particularly in governance and technology-through extensive partnerships with governments and academic institutions worldwide.
The conference is expected to address several key themes, including building trust in digital governance, information security, privacy and digital sovereignty, leveraging artificial intelligence for the public good, as well as developing smart and sustainable cities, and enhancing beneficiary participation in the design of government services.
ICEGOV is one of the leading international platforms specializing in digital governance, bringing together governments, academic institutions, and international organizations to discuss the latest trends in developing digital government services. It places particular emphasis on bridging theory and practice, while showcasing leading global experiences in this field.
The conference comes amid Saudi Arabia's notable progress in digital government indicators, having ranked second globally in the GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI), and first in the Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index (GEMS) issued by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), reinforcing the maturity of the Saudi model and its role in advancing digital governance globally.