The importance of geographical information in supporting and improving decision-making processes and overall efficiency in governmental operations was underscored by Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi. The Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) played host to the first Sharjah Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Forum. It served as an invaluable platform for individuals and organizations from the government and technology sectors to come together and discuss advancements in digital geopolitics.
The GIS forum is part of the SDD’s commitment to digital progress and institutional integration. It amplifies the power of contemporary GIS technologies to drive data collaboration across administrative entities in Sharjah. The event took place at Aljada by Arada in Sharjah, and saw attendance from over 170 participants, indicating the discipline’s growing significance.
Among the attendees were noteworthy government representatives, including Eng. Omar Khalfan bin Huraimel Al Shamsi, head of the Department of Municipal Affairs, and Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the director of Sharjah Publishing City. Their presence marked the event’s significance in aligning with the broader vision and growth of the Emirate.
In his capacity as Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi highlighted the forum’s crucial role in fostering knowledge exchange and collective effort among all involved entities. He underscored the increasing reliance on spatial data in guiding decisions, improving service provision, and elevating government performance. He expressed optimism towards the forum fostering increased collaboration to help form a holistic digital ecosystem based on validated and reliable data, contributing positively to the public and the Emirate’s shared development objectives.
Eng. Lamia Al Hussan Al Shamsi, SDD’s Director, focused in her opening remarks on the importance of GIS in overseeing urban development, managing infrastructure, monitoring the environment, and improving public services. She underlined the need for GIS to catalyze sustainable growth through well-articulated strategies and forward-thinking plans.
One notable highlight was the unveiling of the Mada Geographic Data Platform by SDD at the GITEX 2024. Ms. Al Shamsi emphasized it as a significant stride towards facilitating the sharing of geospatial data across the UAE. Mada is a centralized database updated continually to streamline the interchange of geographical information among governmental bodies.
The Director General of Sharjah City Municipality, Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, affirmed their commitment to the cause by participating actively in the forum. He showcased how the digital initiatives driven by GIS technology, including the ‘Smart Inspection’ system and the digital platform for issuing No Objection Certificates for sewage services, are paving the way forward in the field of geographic information.
The forum also featured a detailed presentation by Fatima Juma – Head of the GIS Department at the Department of Town Planning and Survey. She centered her speech on the integration of geographical artificial intelligence into future urban planning and the creation of smart city frameworks. Juma reinforced the significance of collaboration to incubate and grow this strategic sector.
Khalid Abdullah Al Zarooni of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority presented the audience with an insight into ‘The Archaeological Geographic Information System.’ His enlightening presentation highlighted the crucial role of GIS in preserving Sharjah’s rich cultural heritage while incorporating the most recent tech advancements.
The aim of the Sharjah GIS Forum was threefold. First, it sought to educate and provide familiarity to all participants about cutting-edge technical solutions and best global practices in the field of GIS. Second, it aimed to promote data sharing and cooperation amongst different governmental departments, which would translate into quicker procedural turnarounds, enhanced service delivery, and scientific decision-making based on accurate data.
Lastly, there was a collective effort to further integration and embark on joint projects that feed into the Emirate’s wider strategic plans. The forum offered several themed sessions touching upon the application of GIS to predict natural calamities, guide urban development, and streamline inspection processes.
Other vital topics broached at the forum were leveraging advanced technologies like digital twin algorithms and AI to support intelligent geospatial solutions. This integration plays out well in areas like rainwater harvesting, flood mitigation, and spatial data analysis to enhance government procedures’ efficiency.
Unifying efforts around sharing geospatial data to achieve integration and accessibility towards information was another paramount discussion. The availability and free flow of reliable data would lead to more competent planning, minimal expenditure of time and effort, and informed decision-making to drive comprehensive growth all across the Emirate of Sharjah.
In conclusion, the inaugural Sharjah GIS Forum brought to a close a fruitful event where those involved were honored for their contributions towards buttressing digital transformation and improving smart government performance. The gathering proved to be a wellspring of innovation, strategic partnerships, and technological success that will play a tremendous role in shaping the Emirate’s digital trajectory.