Abu Dhabi ranked as the smartest city in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for 2023, according to the annual IMD Smart City Index released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland. This will be the third consecutive time the UAE capital has received this prestigious recognition.

The IMD surveyed 120 residents in 118 cities worldwide. Abu Dhabi surpassed several international capitals to rank 13th globally out of the 141 cities included in the current ranking. The study evaluated current infrastructure and digital services available to residents, relying on variables related to residents' perceptions and interactions with government efforts in five main pillars: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities (work and education systems) and governance.

Commenting on the achievement, H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), said, “Abu Dhabi's leadership in this field is a translation of the leadership's vision and commitment to supporting the digital transformation journey and utilizing it to serve the community and enhance its well-being and quality of life. Through employing next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) and developing smart city initiatives across various societal, service and economic sectors, including public and smart transportation, Abu Dhabi has been able to establish itself as a smart and sustainable city and one of the best global destinations to live, work and visit.”

Zurich took the lead in this year’s survey, with Oslo in second place and Canberra in third.

Asian and European cities dominated the top 20 cities out of the 141 studied. Six cities show either continuous improvement or year-on-year stability. These “super-champions” are Zurich, Oslo, Singapore, Beijing, Seoul and Hong Kong. The 2023 findings also demonstrate the increasing “smartness” of second-tier cities such as Montreal, Denver, Lausanne and Bilbao.

Also Read: GCC Countries Revealed Strong Digital Transformation Efforts in 2022

Smart cities contribute to the development of many key sectors in the emirate, such as the smart transportation sector and the smart economy, which is based on advanced software that helps develop many sectors such as supply, delivery, and joint support services.

Additionally, interactive platforms are built with the public to identify their needs and aspirations and interact with them transparently, placing them at the center of government work in addition to developing and facilitating access to services for citizens.

The Smart Cities Index issued by IMD is considered an important reference for international organizations, decision-makers, and institutions to measure the impact of national strategies on enhancing levels of welfare, achieving progress and promoting the quality of life for people.

In order to discuss strategy for blockchain and virtual assets in alignment with the Emirates’ economic strategy, the Abu Dhabi Blockchain and Virtual Assets Committee (ADBVAC) held its first meeting under the leadership of H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and chairman of the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).

du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), will support ‘Dubai Can’ – an innovative citywide sustainability initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, that encourages and empowers communities to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles. In light of this initiative, the telco has implemented multiple initiatives at its new headquarters in Dubai Hills. du’s sustainable and technologically- advanced headquarters symbolize its journey to a leading digital telco with new values that drive a purpose-driven mindset and sustainable ethos.

Dubai CommerCity, a part of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ ), has unveiled a new corporate identity aligned with its new strategic direction of transforming its operations and services to digital commerce in line with the UAE’s Digital Economy Strategy.

In this modern era of big data, it's important to have a central platform to house all government information, said His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, at the launch of the Smart Dubai 2021 framework and Smart Dubai's new central government platform to house big data: Dubai Pulse. His Highness said Dubai Pulse is a platform that "taps into the potential of artificial intelligence to spread happiness among people."

In a bid to turn Dubai into a role model in metaverse technologies with an applicably robust digital infrastructure, the Dubai government launched its Dubai Metaverse Strategy which aims to present      Dubai as one of the world’s top 10 metaverse economies as well as a global hub for the metaverse community.

Dubai has launched a digital platform to help entrepreneurs to start a business in the emirate.

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has launched the Dubai Research and Development (R&D) programme to support key economic sectors and create new opportunities for growth by providing a comprehensive framework for research, development and innovation across the emirate.

Launched by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), the ‘Dubai AI Seal’ is a newly-introduced, free-of-charge verification system designed to accelerate the growth of Dubai's AI industry. Its goal is to foster trust in credible AI companies, helping to position the city as a global leader in the field.

Dubai's iconic Museum of the Future and Binance NFT, the NFT marketplace of Binance, the world’s leading blockchain and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider aims to develop and launch a range of digital products on the blockchain, starting with their first-ever NFT collection – The Most Beautiful NFTs in the Metaverse.

The first passengers travelling from Dubai to Barcelona on Emirates Airlines flight number EK185 got to the try the 'digital passport' to verify and share their pre-travel Covid-19 test status with airlines.

Millions of Kuwait's residents and organizations will be able to benefit from a digital experience when it comes to electricity and water services, thanks to an innovative smart meters partnership announced today by the Ministry of Electricity and Water.

A ministerial working group has been established - and is tasked with the responsibility of developing the Brazilian Digital Strategy. The group held its first meeting in the last few days - and has been given sixty working days to establish guidelines designed to boost the digital economy and define the basis and role of the EDB.

Keeping its momentum to establish Dubai as a global digital economic hub, the Dubai Government has formed the Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy to help shape the future of artificial intelligence (AI) by investing in the metaverse and establishing partnerships to boost Dubai’s digital economy. The development follows the recent launch of the Dubai Government’s metaverse strategy.

In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, Dr. Saoud Al Shoaili, director general, policies and governance in the ministry of transport and communication, Oman, talked about the significance and the impact on the country for the being the Arab digital capital for 2022. He also spoke about Oman’s digital transformation journey in its various aspects.

As part of the country’s cybersecurity tightening, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has fined DiDi Global Inc $1.2 billion, ending a probe that saw the ride-hailing leader being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange since its IPO in June last year.

Colombia’s Santa Marta City has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global solution providers Gorilla Technology Group, Inc., NC Digy Smart Cities, and AECOM to become an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart city, advancing Latin America’s urban innovation.

To enhance community well-being and economic sustainability and to solidify the UAE’s leading position at the global level, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has launched the Digital Society Initiative to encourage awareness regarding the use and adoption of digital means to improve various segments of society.

Thailand has announced its ambitious aim of introducing broadband access to every village in the country by 2018. The Thailand government has recognized the power of the digital economy in terms of creating innovation - which can significantly reduce the gap between rich and poor in the region. It has declared its long-term commitment to embracing technology and will attempt to bring connectivity to even the most remote parts of Thailand.

Startups in Jordan and the Palestinian Territories will be vital in driving the Levant's Digital Economy and job creation for technology talents, SAP announced at the Start-up Focus Event in Amman, hosted by startup enabler and technology company SAP and supported by Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) and USAID West Bank and Gaza through its Compete Project.