Ramallah - The Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, in collaboration with the Lithuanian Representation in Palestine and the national DigiTech association of Lithuania (Infobalt), organized a specialized workshop focused on digital transformation and GovTech innovation. The two-day workshop was attended by various representatives from public and private institutions, Palestinian innovation ecosystem, and international experts and partners.
The workshop highlighted key global trends in digital transformation and GovTech innovation, which enables governments to adopt technology to improve the quality of public services and facilitate interaction between citizens and government institutions. During the workshop, Lithuanian experts presented advanced insights on establishing a GovTech Lab, an innovative model that allows governments to collaborate with the ICT sector to develop digital solutions that serve the public interest and enhance government performance.
Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al-Natsheh, Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, emphasized that government innovation is not just a tool for digital transformation, but a key driver of building the digital economy, enabling the creation of a more flexible, efficient, and responsive government to citizens' needs. He highlighted that the commitment to government innovation is unwavering, as it is central to the vision of promoting economic growth and improving the quality of public services. He noted that Lithuania’s expertise in this field is valuable, with its digital identity platform significantly simplifying interactions between citizens and the government, making it easier for businesses to operate and for individuals to access essential online services, from which Palestine can benefit to enhance its digital transformation efforts.
In the same context, Dr. Omar Awadallah, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates for United Nations Affairs and other specialized agencies, highlighted that the joint project with Lithuania in the realm of digital transformation and government innovation is a key initiative, significantly contributing to both knowledge and technology transfer, which are essential for building a sustainable digital economy and fostering economic growth.
The Lithuanian Ambassador to Palestine, H.E Mr. Bertas Venckaitis, said that this workshop continues the ongoing cooperation in the field of digital transformation and e-government. He stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries, noting that through this project, Lithuania supports Palestinian initiatives and talents, while exchanging ideas, knowledge, and experiences, especially given the difficult circumstances the Palestinian people are facing.
The workshop included in-depth discussions over the two days on government innovation, technical training, the digital skills system, women in the digital field, the e-tax system, and the development of the e-health platform in Lithuania.
In conclusion, the participants emphasized the need to proceed with the establishment and launching of the GovTech Lab through the creation of a genuine partnership between the public, private, and academic sectors. Also highlighting the importance of encouraging innovators, software developers, and researchers to develop the necessary digital solutions to promote digital transformation and government innovation in Palestine, addressing the needs of both its citizens and the government.

Status 
This report is developed to update the humanitarian actors on the voice and internet connectivity level in Gaza to inform their response and to provide a description of the main challenges and needs to advance repairs.
The Palestinian operators – since the beginning of the war – managed to maintain a minimum level of services wherever possible in Gaza and as informed by humanitarian priorities and movement of people.