Smart Dubai wins Project City Award in Barcelona

The Smart Dubai Office, SDO, has scooped the prestigious City Project Award for the Dubai Blockchain Strategy at the recent Smart Cities Expo and World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, following fierce competition against 308 projects from 58 countries.

The award recognises the most innovative and successful projects that are already being implemented or developed in any specific urban development area. The Dubai Blockchain Strategy, seeks to make the Dubai Government the first in the world to conduct 100 percent of its transactions online encrypted database by the year 2020.

"We are honoured to have our efforts recognised here, at the premier Smart Cities Expo and World Congress," said Dr. Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director-General of the SDO. "Smart Dubai’s solid vision to build a smart city centred around the happiness of its citizens commanded international attention at the Expo. Guided by the forward-thinking vision of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Smart Dubai has made great strides in our mission to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world, with the support of our partners and affiliate organisations."

Wesam Lootah, CEO of the Smart Dubai Government Establishment, SDG, said, "Taking part in such a prestigious event centred around smart cities, which culminated in our winning this premier international award, is a great honour for Dubai and a testament to the emirate’s status as a world leader in embracing cutting-edge technology. We, at Smart Dubai, plan to go beyond simply applying Blockchain technology in our operations; in fact, we are currently working to outline the first set of international standards for Blockchain application in government. We are confident that our experience will inspire cities around the world and bring forth new opportunities to implement Blockchain in all walks of life."

Younus Al Nasser, CEO of the Dubai Data Establishment, gave a presentation outlining solutions to improve governance models and manage innovation, in addition to determining the role of data in Dubai’s smart transformation.

Smart Dubai’s booth at the Expo witnessed a great turnout among fairgoers, most notably, it was visited by Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona, and Nuria Marin Martinez, Mayor of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.

Smart Dubai, along with 12 of its government and private-sector strategic partners, showcased the emirate’s success in its transition into smart technologies over the past year, in addition to the products of the Office’s collaboration with the government and private sectors in the emirate, and the progress made on the Smart Dubai Strategy 2021.