Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi underlined the critical role of geospatial data in shaping decision-making, enhancing services, and expediting governmental effectiveness. The Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) set the stage for the debut Sharjah Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Forum, a collaboration between governmental organizations and prime tech companies within the emirate. This forum is a testament to SDD’s relentless pursuit of digital transformation and institutional synergy, by seizing upon the capabilities of cutting-edge GIS technologies. The event hosted in Aljada by Arada in Sharjah, pulled in a substantial crowd, reporting approximately 172 attendees.
An array of Sharjah’s high-ranking officials from varied governmental departments were in attendance, including Eng. Omar Khalfan bin Huraimel Al Shamsi, Chairman of Department of Municipalities Affairs, and Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director of Sharjah Publishing City. Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Digital Department, expressed the forum’s value as a pivotal platform for nurturing expertise, fostering cooperation, and reinforcing institutional ties. He underlined the escalating significance of spatial data as an indispensable piece in propelling decision-making, refining service offerings, and amplifying governmental functionality.
Sheikh Saud also shared his anticipation towards the forum playing a significant role in indiscriminate collaboration among governmental bodies, utilising an integrated digital ecosystem packed with accurate, up-to-date information. The ultimate goal was to serve the community better and inch closer towards the emirate’s shared development objectives. Lamia Al Hussan Al Shamsi, Director of SDD, emphasized the crucial part played by geographic information systems in fields such as urban planning, infrastructure maintenance, environment tracking, and public services during her inaugural address.
Lamia pointed to the pivotal nature of GIS as a means to drive sustainable development, underpinned by strategic visions and meticulous planning. She drew attention to the Mada Geographic Data Platform, unveiled by SDD during GITEX 2024, as a forward step in promoting geospatial data dissemination across the UAE. Mada represents a unified, continually updated repository encouraging the smooth interchange of geographic insights among governmental units. This propels more effective spatial strategizing, optimizes governmental workflows, and elevates the standard of public services, overall backing economic growth within the emirate.
Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director General of Sharjah City Municipality, expressed that the Municipality’s participation in the forum mirrors its dedication to sharing proficiency and presenting its initiatives in the sphere of geographic information systems. He mentioned that the forum also provides an avenue for learning from diverse experiences to bolster institutional effectiveness and enhance operational efficiency, in line with the strategic vision of the emirate. Al Tunaiji also shed light on several innovative digitized initiatives enabled by GIS technology, like the ‘Smart Inspection’ system and the digital platform set up for issuing No Objection Certificates for sewage services.
Engineer Fatima Juma, who heads the GIS Department at Department of Town Planning and Survey, focused on primary themes such as geospatial data, statistical analysis, integration of geographic artificial intelligence in future planning, and development of smart cities during her presentation. She emphasized the realworld impact of geographic information systems on driving urban developments and accentuated the need for forging stronger alliances to supplement growth in this critical sector.
Khalid Abdullah Al Zarooni, Information Technology Head at Sharjah Archaeology Authority, stated that the forum has given the Authority an ideal platform to display its path-breaking ‘Archaeological Geographic Information System’ project, showcasing their commitment towards preserving Sharjah’s cultural heritage. The Sharjah Geographic Information Systems Forum took a stance at educating the participating bodies about the cutting-edge technical solutions and international best practices within the realm of GIS technology, and how such resources can be deployed to boost government performance through effective collection, analysis, and pictorial representation of spatial data.
The event also sought to further the cause of cooperation between government departments by promoting data sharing and transfer of insightful information. This could trigger faster procedures, improve service quality, and back informed decision-making grounded on scientific methodologies. The forum’s objectives extended to accelerating integration in the execution of joint projects and strategic plans throughout the emirate.
Several specialized sessions were part of the forum, accentuating the role of geographic information systems in predicting natural calamities, aiding urban planning, and building unified geospatial frameworks to enhance coordination between federal and local agencies. The discussions also touched upon how GIS could be utilized to safeguard archaeological sites, streamline inspection processes, and facilitate the issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs), alongside an introduction to GIS implementations by the Sharjah Electricity, Water, and Gas Authority.
Session topics also delved into the integration of sophisticated technologies such as digital twin models and artificial intelligence, to buttress smart geospatial solutions, significant in spheres like rainwater harvesting, flood management, and spatial data analysis – all crucial to enhance governmental operations efficiency.
The forum underlined the need for a unified approach to geospatial data exchange, facilitating increased integration and accessibility of information. This leads to more streamlined planning and management, saving on time and effort, and aids in making a well-informed, strategic decision that drives comprehensive development across the Emirate of Sharjah.
The concluding segment of the event involved a ceremony acknowledging the participating entities for their valuable contributions in driving digital transformation and enhancing smart government performance. The GIS forum put the spotlight on the role of spatial data and digital infrastructure in driving public service delivery and operational efficiency, and emphasized the collaborative efforts required to fully realize Sharjah’s digital transformation goals.
This insightful exchange of ideas underscored the significance of geospatial data, tolerance towards shared insights, and importance of deploying advanced technical solutions to accelerate governmental execution. The forum succeeded in bolstering confidence in the potential of GIS technologies, even as it furthered the cause for institutional integration and extensive cooperation.