KUWAIT: Participants at the 11th session of the Joint Gulf Municipal Work Conference have recommended the adoption of latest digital models in twin towns in some Gulf council countries. The conference, hosted by Kuwait over three days and sponsored by Minister of Municipal affairs and Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Dr Rana Al-Fares, under slogan of "smart municipality," concluded its activities Thursday.

The conference highlighted the necessity of establishing a central body which specialized in civil information systems, to unify digital language and connect concerned bodies with the municipality. It also called for increasing training courses to develop national cadres, exchange expertise and to encourage the use of platforms and smart applications to further facilitate procedures.

Additionally, the conference promoted a platform to observe and control sanitation services, and another platform for food safety to review the work of companies and ensure the highest quality. On the issue of voluntary work, it urged supporting the efforts of municipalities and concerned organizations to further voluntary humanitarian activities.

Ahmad Al-Manfouhi

The conference called for boosting citizens' involvement in the development journey, and motivate the youth to contribute to servicing the community. Municipality general director, Ahmad Al-Manfouhi, stated to the press after the concluding ceremony that the recommendations will be referred to GCC ministerial meeting scheduled to be held next September. Al-Manfouhi also commented that they are working on digitalizing the work of the municipality, especially relating to permits, indicating that 40 percent of permits can be issued in the same day. - KUNA