The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) will have an active participation in the ITU Annual Forum on “Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Smart Cities and Societies ”for Arab Region, which will be launched tomorrow 28 August 2019 in Dubai, through several activities that highlight the UAE’s experience in digital transformation, future shaping, Fourth Industrial Revolution and other headlines that shape the current directions in the UAE.

Over the two-day-event, a group of specialists in ICT, IoT, smart cities, big data, environment and climate change, will gather to discuss a range of key ICT issues in the Arab region.

On this participation, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General, said: “Hosting and participating in this forum by TRA aims to enhance the UAE’s global leadership in supporting the ICT sector globally in general, and in the Arab region in particular. It is also a reflection of the wise leadership directives to make the UAE a global laboratory open for experiment and implementation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution technology. We have the pleasure to host this forum in the UAE, especially that its theme relates to advancing the progress in Arab countries in the fields of IoT, smart cities, and big data, which are the most prominent headlines in the next phase of human development.”

H.E. Al Mansoori emphasized that the importance of this forum is based on its timing as the world is witnessing the launch of 5G networks. He added: “The talk about 5G networks is currently trending due to its expected technological and developmental results. It is expected to see clearer features of smart cities and the spread of artificial intelligence technologies on a larger scale, hence the importance of this forum, which will discuss the requirements of the next phase, and the best way to meet these requirements by the Arab countries.”

The Forum aims to contribute to raising the readiness of the Arab countries to achieve e-transformation and access to smart cities, and strengthen partnerships with Arab, international and regional organizations to regulate the role of education, science, technology and innovation in achieving sustainable development, as well as sharing successful experiences in the field of and electronic/smart transformation among Arab cities.

The forum will also identify regional challenges regarding using big data that should be addressed by stakeholders in the region, as well as highlight regional opportunities that can be leveraged in this area, particularly those that can lead to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The sessions will focus on the technical aspects and potential roles of 5G and IoT, “Big Data for Development” in the Arab region. The sessions will also discuss the launch of development applications of big data in all areas. The forum will discuss opportunities and challenges related to IoT, and the difficulties faced by policymakers and regulators during the adoption of the IoT ecosystem and sustainable smart cities. In addition, the forum will highlight the acceleration of digital transformation, the role digital transformation will play in business, the milestones and the roadmap for future digital transformation in the Arab region.

The UAE has succeeded in building smart, eco-friendly and sustainable cities to improve the quality of life of the population and future generations, through the use of ICTs to improve wellbeing, raise the efficiency of urban processes and services, increase competitiveness, and meet the needs of current and future generations in economic, social, environmental, and cultural fields.

The UAE Government ensures sustainable development and seeks to protect the environment and balance economic and social development. The UAE is also developing several sustainable smart cities, such as Masdar City, Dubai Sustainable City and Dubai Silicon Oasis.