The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) Deputy Chief Executive of Electronic Transformation, Ali Abdulaziz Janahi, chaired the 15th meeting of the GCC Smart Card Steering Committee, held at the General Secretariat in Riyadh. 

The meeting forms part of ongoing co-ordination among GCC authorities responsible for smart card systems. 

It aims to strengthen the exchange of expertise and best practices in the development of smart ID cards, supporting digital transformation, enhancing technical integration, and improving service quality for GCC citizens, in line with shared aspirations for a more connected and sustainable digital future.

The event was attended by iGA Director of Identity & Population Registry Sheikh Subah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, along with officials representing National ID card authorities from across the GCC.

Addressing the gathering, Janahi praised the continued efforts of committee members to enhance smart card services, noting the strong commitment of GCC leaders to deeper integration and the harmonization of technical and technology standards. 

“Unified standards play an important role in improving service quality and enabling individuals to complete their transactions with government and private sector entities smoothly and efficiently,” he stated.

“ID card enhancements stand as a successful example of joint GCC co-operation, given their central role in advancing digital transformation, simplifying procedures, and strengthening the reliability of digital identity,” he stated. 

“These initiatives are aligned with rapid technological developments and support the shared ambition of GCC countries to build an integrated digital future,” he added.

The meeting further discussed the implementation of the GCC authentication framework for services and the GCC identity verification system, reviewed a report on the Software Development Kit (SDK) Exchange Platform, examined the latest smart card samples issued by GCC member states, and reviewed the minutes of the GCC Smart Card Technical Team.

According to iGA, the committee members reviewed several agenda items including the General Secretariat’s report on the outcomes of the 14th meeting and the key decisions that have since been implemented. 

Discussions covered the adoption of digital identity as an officially recognized means of identification, a proposed change to the committee’s name, and the issuance of related decisions concerning digital identity, it added.-TradeArabia News Service