ICA provides officials in member countries with a vehicle for addressing the key issues and emerging policies related to the development and implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in national governments.

ICA offers a unique international forum that has been supporting CIOs and senior managers in public administrations since 1968, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government administration and ICT. It is a peer-to-peer network that allows member countries to learn from and leverage the success of others. ICA takes an active stance in the future of ICT. In our interconnected world each of us must play a role in shaping the vision and collaborating across jurisdictions. The 21^st Century is truly a time of opportunity for government as the global community becomes a reality.

Each year ICA's officers identify an issue of vital importance in the realization of its objectives as the theme for its Annual Conference. For 2016, the 49^th ICA Conference presented the current topic of "Unleashing mobile government – addressing societal challenges."

Present, were participants from countries/organizations from Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, ENISA, Estonia, European Commission, Finland, Greece, Israel, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, Mozambique, Norway, OECD, Portugal, S. Africa, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, The Netherlands, The World Bank, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA.

The response to the topics and issues addressed was overwhelming, as the presentations were immaculately prepared and warmly accepted by all who participated to the conference. The topics sparked further discussions among panelists and the audience, raising further awareness to and means for solutions on cybersecurity, mGovernment, strategy & change management and government analytics from big data through a citizen centric spectrum.

We envisioned a new conference concept, one that would involve members' active participation, throughout its duration and enriched the four day event programme with interactive workshops and meetings and included among the participants from many countries, representatives from the industry. With this in mind, on the 3rd day of the event conference participants and industry representatives changed venues and visited Kista, home of Stockholm University and eGovlab, where they actively participated to the eGovlab Innovation Jam sessions addressing: Risk & Disaster Management, Migration and Building a Home.

As the curtain comes down on this successful event we look ahead to the 50th ICA Conference which promises to address current issues with the most innovative means.

View more information on the 49^th ICA Conference programme and presentations.