Cyprus and the United Kingdom on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in the field of digital government.
The MoU was signed in Nicosia between Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Kyriacos Kokkinos and British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie on behalf of Government Digital Service (GDS) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
A press release also said the MoU will facilitate greater sharing of knowledge, expertise and best practices to improve the design and delivery of quality digital public services.
As well as promote their wider use, build digital skills and capabilities of government officials and adopt open standards for government information, data and software.
“Through this very significant collaboration, we aspire to develop the agility required to accelerate our delivery capacity for digital services, maximise impact for society, support economic recovery and pave the way for sustainable development towards our journey for a new economic model,” Kokkinos said.
Lillie said: “This agreement affirms the UK`s intention to support the government of Cyprus to deliver government services to citizens through digital channels, such as a single, comprehensive government website.”
And he added: “The UK will provide consultation and advice on building digital skills and capability in the Cypriot government and the private sector, with a focus on delivering government services based on genuine user needs; fully accessible, easily used by all citizens, and be based on internationally recognised open standards.”
Bilateral cooperation on digital governance will continue in January 2021, with interactive online training, organised by the UK Government Digital Service (GDS, UK’s arm for digital services) in collaboration with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The training will introduce participants to digital and agile ways of working in government and the principles of user-centred design.
(CNA)
