CITIZEN ID FORUM

In 2008, the Citizen ID Forum will open its doors on February 25^th and 26^th under the patronage of the Minister of Interior of the UAE, H.H. Sheik Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan and with the endorsement of the European Commission, Emirates Identity Authority and Abu Dhabi Police. Wise Media’s summit brings together a world-class panel of government representatives, border control and law enforcement authorities, system integrators, state printers, technology vendors and end-users.

Milan, January 28th, 2008 - Wise Media is honored to announce that Dr. Khalid Al Tawil, Director General of the National Information Center (NIC) in Saudi Arabia, will participate in the Citizen ID Forum, the world’s premier summit on the digitalization of citizen ID documents. As head of Saudi Arabia's most important information center, Dr. Al Tawil has developed NIC into a distinguished and elite department, which enables the mission critical information technology initiatives that protect all citizens and non-citizens in the Kingdom. NIC has fostered the exchange of technology among government agencies in different countries and has contributed significantly to efforts being made in the Middle East to counter terrorism through secure identity solutions.

Dr. Al Tawil was recently presented with the Electronic Passport Forum Honorable Mention at the ID People Awards Ceremony held in Milan in November 2007 for his accomplishments in the field of citizen ID programs.

Dr. Al Tawil, guest of honor at the Abu Dhabi summit, will address the high-level audience during the first conference session on Monday, February 25th and provide insight into Saudi Arabia’s significant efforts to promote and encourage the use of ICT in the government and public sectors in the Arab world.

“Wise Media’s efforts in organizing The Citizen ID Forum will promote the sharing of ideas and encourage government cooperation in the field of digital citizen ID documents,” says Dr. Al Tawil. “Providing a secure authenticated identity for every citizen will help us provide better, faster and more reliable secure governmental and non-governmental services and thereby enhance global security.”

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