Innovations in Social Security Programs in Arab Nations

In partnership with the Liaison Office for Arab Countries, the ISSA recently hosted a Technical Seminar at the Public Institution for Social Security in Kuwait City on 29-30 January 2024. The purpose of the seminar was to highlight innovative approaches to managing social security systems in the region, with contributions from ISSA members in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, the State of Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Various innovative initiatives were discussed during the seminar, including the implementation of a national innovation strategy and governance in the UAE, as well as the introduction of an intelligent contribution collection system in Abu Dhabi. Saudi Arabia’s General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) showcased its AI-powered chatbot, which has enhanced user assistance. Bahrain’s Social Insurance Organization presented its comprehensive program to enhance human resources performance, while Oman’s Social Protection Fund shared its collaborative approach to strategy development and its use of a hackathon to address key challenges with digital solutions.

ISSA Secretary General Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano commended the participants for their insightful discussions and emphasized the importance of integrating innovation into social security management systems in the region. He encouraged participating institutions to join the ISSA Collaborative Innovation Hub, which fosters collaboration for developing innovative projects and enhancing innovation capacity. Additionally, he urged members to participate in the upcoming Good Practice Award competition for Asia and the Pacific, which will include a Special Distinction for Innovation. The awards ceremony will take place at the Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and the Pacific in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 3-5 December 2024.