Smart Dubai launches global network to connect smart cities

The initiative aims to further Dubai’s position as a world leader in smart city technology

Smart Dubai has unveiled the first-of-its-kind Smart Cities Global Network. It will be the largest international network of smart city stakeholders and aims to bring together partners that share a passion for advanced technology, fourth industrial revolution breakthroughs, smart living and spreading happiness in the community with tech-enabled, humancentric services.

Network members include representation from government, the private sector, research centres, academic institutes, subject matter experts and the media.

Members can join the network online and interact with one another through the first comprehensive global smart city directory. Smart Dubai and other network members can reach out to one another to collaborate on exchanging knowledge around implementation of smart city and technological initiatives, ecosystem enablement efforts supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs, skill development, publications, events, awards and more.

The network’s focus topics include pertinent areas in the field of smart cities including big data, city experiences, artificial intelligence, paperless government, blockchain, digital identity and shared services’ platforms.

Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director General, Smart Dubai Office, said: “At Smart Dubai, we firmly believe that embracing technology and embedding it in the very infrastructure of cities is at the core of smart city development. With the launch of the Smart Cities Global Network, we are essentially taking a bold first step towards building the largest international network of smart cities. The Smart Dubai Office is extending its hand in partnership to all individuals and entities that share our passion for emerging technologies and encourage the exchange of knowledge and skills.”

“We look forward to working hand in hand with other ambitious cities from around the world, with research centres and academic institutes thinking outside the proverbial box to find original solutions to both longstanding and modern-day challenges, and with subject-matter experts dedicating time and effort to sustaining the smart-transformation momentum sweeping across the globe,” she added.

The Smart Cities Global Network seeks to position Dubai as a global hub for science, technology, research, smart living, and future industry. It cements Dubai’s global prestige and the soft power that comes with knowledge, further transforming the city into a laboratory for experimenting with and implementing bold pilot projects and breakthroughs.

The network is poised to bring about a dynamic growth and shift in research and development, and academic activities in general, all the while attracting a high-skilled workforce and reversing brain drain in the region and other parts of the world. Furthermore, the uptick in foreign direct investment by conglomerates and entrepreneurs stands to accelerate and improve economic activity in member cities.

Brought to you by: