The Dubai Data Establishment, DDE, held a meeting for members of its flagship "Data Champions" programme from 47 different government entities.

The meeting included an overview of the establishment, its mandate and its scope of activities, as well as a presentation regarding the Dubai Data team. Attendees at the meeting also explored a roadmap for the future of the data sector, as well as action plans for the different entities taking part in the Data Leaders programme.

Also on the meeting’s agenda was the Dubai Data Economic Impact Report, which seeks to provide a high-level estimate of the anticipated economic and social impacts of the Dubai Data initiative, and the impact of open and shared data.

The participants also explored the Dubai Data’s Primary Registries, a cohesive set of data assets that provides trusted, timely and secure information to support government or business processes, as well as entity compliance with various data-related regulations.

Speaking about the meeting, Younus Al Nasser, CEO of DDE, said, "This Data Leaders’ meeting is our way of recognising and celebrating the efforts of the government institutions who have populated the Dubai Pulse platform with their data. We urge all other government and non-government organisations to take the initiative and add their data to the platform, as directed by the UAE’s wise leadership. Indeed, the launch of the Smart Decision-Making Platform at GITEX last week was the result of collaboration between these early supporters of the platform the backbone of Dubai’s smart transformation.

"Data is the bedrock upon which a smart city is built. We are relying on the influx of data to the Dubai Pulse platform to upgrade urban life for people and fulfil Dubai Vision 2021. Moreover, we will be building upon our success to promote the smart-city experience at the federal level, in line with the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071, which emerged from the UAE government annual meetings. Data leaders are leading the charge in that regard, encouraging their respective entities to join the Dubai Pulse platform and play their part in the sustainable development of the UAE."

The Data Leaders programme resonates with the initiatives recently launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, including the Smart Dubai 2021 initiative. It represents the next step in smart and sustainable development in Dubai, and will allow the Dubai government to issue its last paper transaction in 2021, in addition to the Dubai Pulse platform, which will host all the emirate’s data and form the backbone of its shift towards smart development.