Free and Open-Source Government Software

Process of adoption and transformation

As part of its quest to achieve Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is accelerating the digital transformation process by strategically adopting free and open source software. This approach aims to strengthen the technical infrastructure, stimulate innovation, diversify the sources of the national economy, and improve the quality of digital government services. Through the adoption of open source data, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to develop a flexible knowledge economy while strengthening its position as a global leader in technology and innovation.

As part of these national efforts, the Kingdom is launching a wide range of platforms and initiatives that enable developers, companies and government entities to participate and contribute to open source data projects and encourages cooperation between the government and private sector to build advanced technical solutions that contribute to raising the efficiency of the technical infrastructure and enhancing the Kingdom's competitive capabilities at the international level.

Key Definitions

The Kingdom's approach to free and open source Government software is based on the basic principles of transparency, cooperation and innovation. The following terms are fundamental for understanding this framework:

• Free and Open Source Software: Computer software with source code that is publicly available for use in its original state or with modifications, and such software usually does not require payment of license fees.

• Source code: The commands and instructions written in one of the programming languages that make up any computer program.

• Government license: A license granted through a document issued by the Digital Government Authority and related to government-owned software.

• The Repository: An electronic platform for depositing and distributing government software.

• Government software: Each source code was written for the benefit of a government entity and owned by the state.

The benefits of free and open source software

The adoption of free and open source software provides multiple advantages, including:

• Reusability and usability: Enhance software reuse opportunities.

• Cooperation: Open cooperation between government agencies in this field to unify practices and technologies among them.

• Transparency: Reduce dependence on proprietary software suppliers and reduce monopolistic practices.

• Integration: Enhance opportunities for integration and inclusion of software from more than one source, and improve the interoperability of systems.

The main impact of the adoption of the strategy of free and open source software

The Kingdom's strategy in free and open source software plays a transformative role in:

• Strengthening the local information technology system and supporting the digital economy.

• Encouraging local companies and developing local talents in the IT sector.

• Enhance the efficiency of spending in the field of government information technology by improving the allocation of resources.

Governance and Regulatory Framework

REGA is committed to applying the approved regulatory framework for free and open source government software, as determined by the Digital Government Authority as the supervisory authority for digital governance in the Kingdom, based on the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 14 dated 1/2/1/1443 Ah.

These efforts come within the framework of the national strategy led by the National Committee for Free and Open Source Government Software, which includes a number of specialized government and technical entities, and works to develop policies and legislation that regulate the development and use of open source software at the government level.

REGA seeks to fully adhere to these trends and actively participate in achieving the goals of digital transformation by adopting the best technical practices that are consistent with this national framework.

Free and open source Government software strategy

The strategy led by the National Committee for Free and Open Source Government Software focuses on the following:

• Promote reuse and sharing of source codes.

• Encourage cooperation among government entities.

• Reduce reliance on proprietary software suppliers and address integration challenges.

• Develop consistent policies for the use and development of government software.

Government software repository

It is a leading national platform for depositing free and open source Government software developed by government entities. The basic services Include:

• Source code repository

• display of source codes

• Government software licensing

Objectives:

• Support the adoption of open source software at the level of government agencies

• Enhancing the efficiency of spending on information technology

• Reduce dependence on software-owning suppliers

Important links

Digital Government Authority-product library of REGA