Spain's central government won the prestigious special United Nations (UN) Public Sector Award 2010 for its outstanding eGovernment progress among the top 20 of the UN E-Government survey.

This prize acknowledges Spain's move from the 20th worldwide rank in 2008 to the 11th position in 2010. This is what the UN E-Government survey states regarding Spain and the other two countries awarded with the same prize (Singapore and Barhain):

"These countries have strived to leap-frog in their eGovernment development to be ranked among the top 20 for outstanding progress. The UN E-Government Survey, conducted since 2003, witnessed the achievements by these countries which include the revamp of government portals and websites and tremendous leaps forward in e-service delivery. These countries have strengthened their citizen engagement through e-participation modalities. They have enhanced the quality of e-services and e-content offered to the different population groups."

Spanish State Secretary for the Public Service Consuelo Rumí Ibánez received the award at a ceremony held in Barcelona on 23 June 2010. In the speech she delivered on this occasion, she highlighted the efforts of the Government and the public servants of her country towards achieving a more accessible, efficient and modern Public Administration.

Ms. Rumí Ibánez furthermore pointed out that Spanish eGovernment is now reality, stressing that at central government level, citizens have been able to start any administrative procedure by electronic means. She added that over 98 % of the formalities can be carried out electronically.

The State Secretary drew the audience's attention to the five areas in which the government has mobilised efforts to enhance government modernisation and the use of new technologies: 

• Adoption of the Law on Citizens' Electronic Access to Public Services;
• Promotion of the use of the national eidentity card (DNI Electrónico);
• Prioritisation of common infrastructure and services;
• Many campaigns were conducted: information campaigns targeted at citizens and training operations aimed at public servants;
• Enhancement of the collaboration, coordination and cooperation among the various levels of government. 

 

Further information: 

• Original press release - Ministry of the Presidency (in Spanish)
• 2010 United Nations Public Service Day - Awards Ceremony and Forum
• Related ePractice publication - INT: UN E-Government Survey 2010