I am all for optimism and positivity, but not for the kind that is only professed outwardly to create superficial impressions
It is this convergence of the curves of urban expansion and digital transformation that leads to the development of a smart city. Smart cities use digital infrastructure and AI technologies and create an ecosystem that until yesterday seemed like science fiction.
The United Nations (UN) expected this evolution and integrated it into its agenda for 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs highlighted the role of cities or local governments, instead of federal or central governments in digital transformation.
This shift is based on several grounds other than urban expansion. The UN eGovernment survey pointed out that cities or local governments are closer to understanding the daily needs of people and provided them with services in the economy, transport, and municipal affairs.
It stated that the local departments could achieve the bottom-up approach and had more ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2018 edition of the UN eGovernment survey covered 40 cities across the world, including Dubai, for studying digital transformation at the local level. That was the first introductory signal towards changing the methodology of assessing digital transformation. The new approach highlights the role of cities in bringing digital transformation, while keeping legislation, executive, and judiciary roles with the central governments. In the latest edition, the UN eGovernment survey covered 100 cities. This number is expected to grow in the future versions of the study.
We, in the United Arab Emirates, have an excellent opportunity for digital transformation because of the promising programmes in this field at the local level. The local e-government programmes successfully developed digital infrastructure, digital presence, smart government services and other policies and practices. But, at the same time, they need to exert more efforts to maintain leadership through integration and connectedness conducing to the single digital government that provides its services to customers in a smooth and seamless manner.
The coming period requires in-depth work and close cooperation between the federal and other local governments, with a focus on the four pillars of the Local Online Service Index: technology, content, services, and participation. There is no doubt that we are ready for this.
I am all for optimism and positivity, but not for the kind that is only professed outwardly to create superficial impressions
The key is to boost renewable-energy production while significantly reducing fossil-fuel consumption
I believe that all human beings are flawed, and make mistakes, and that is fine
Accepting yourself is the highest and purest form of validation, yet it is the hardest thing to do
Britain has already banned microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and restricted the sale of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds
The game comes from rich a history and is believed to have originated in India. It is a game of strategy and problem-solving
The IMF and the multilateral development banks can and must do more to provide relief from today’s food, energy, and debt crises
Nature functions as a kind of global capital, and protecting it should be a no-brainer for businesses, investors, and governments