Bahrain chairs 15th GCC ID Card Steering Committee meeting

Riyadh, Dec. 25 (BNA): The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by Ali Abdulaziz Janahi, Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) Deputy Chief Executive of Electronic Transformation, chaired the 15th meeting of the GCC Smart Card Steering Committee, held at the General Secretariat in Riyadh. The event was attended by Shaikh Subah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, iGA Director of Identity & Population Registry, along with officials representing National ID card authorities from across the GCC.

Janahi commended the continued efforts of committee members to enhance smart card services, noting the strong commitment of GCC leaders to deeper integration and the harmonisation of technical and technology standards. He said that "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."

"ID card enhancements stand as a successful example of joint GCC cooperation, given their central role in advancing digital transformation, simplifying procedures, and strengthening the reliability of digital identity," he continued. "These initiatives are aligned with rapid technological developments and support the shared ambition of GCC countries to build an integrated digital future."

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 recognised means of identification, a proposed change to the committee’s name, and the issuance of related decisions concerning digital identity.

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.

The 15th meeting forms part of ongoing coordination 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.