The Board of Directors of Smart Dubai Office, SDO, has held its 9th meeting, presided over by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board. During the meeting, the board members discussed the latest innovative technologies that were approved by SDO and employed by SDO's teams to serve the public in Dubai in support of the strategy and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the emirate into the smartest and happiest city on earth and a benchmark for smart cities around the world.

Discussions during the meeting covered ICT policies as a key enablement tool to promote all city sectors and monitor development of the ICT environment to ensure compatibility with the general policy and national strategies.

The members also discussed the Dubai Blockchain Strategy, launched last October by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and is currently being executed collaboratively by the Smart Dubai Office and the Dubai Future Foundation. The strategy aims to transform Dubai’s government into the world's first government to conduct all its applicable transactions via the Blockchain network by 2020.

"Our main concern in Dubai is to achieve the highest level of happiness for its population. For this purpose, the latest citywide innovations and smart solutions are embraced to enhance the happiness experience of living in Dubai. We partner and collaborate with all parties producing innovative projects for Dubai to be 10 years ahead of other cities of the world in implementation of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as embodied in the X10 Initiative, UAE Centennial 2071 and the smart initiatives launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for Dubai to become the smartest and happiest city on earth", said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Smart Dubai Office.

Commenting on the meeting agenda, Dr. Aisha bint Butti bin Bishr, Director-General of Smart Dubai Office, said, "Thanks to its prudent leadership that harnesses all its resources to fulfil its keen vision, Dubai has been able to make great strides to be a modern and smart city. This has positioned Dubai among the pioneering nations of the world with a potential of becoming the happiest and smartest city on earth."

"We at Smart Dubai are still in the process of achieving a delightful living experience for Dubai inhabitants by employing and harnessing the latest technology to make life in Dubai easier, safer, seamless and more impactful leading to happier lives for all Dubai residents and visitors," she added.