Session organized under the theme 'Innovation in the Municipal Work'

June 15, 2014

H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water, has inaugurated the 6th session of the 'Forum for Best Practices in the field of Municipal Work' under the theme 'Innovation in the Municipal Work' at the Dubai Police Officers Club in Al Garhoud. Organized in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to mark 2015 as the 'Year of Innovation,' this year's forum will support the federal and local government entities as well as Emiratis working actively to achieve the goals of UAE Vision 2021.

Welcoming all the participating government agencies and municipalities to the forum, H.E Dr. bin Fahad, praised their efforts in various areas of development. He lauded their contributions to the adoption of best practices and innovative ideas for building and developing a distinct and innovative governmental mindset, which have helped achieve the ambitions aspirations of the wise leadership to make the UAE one of the world's best countries by 2021.

H.E. Bin Fahad added that the forum's theme of 'Innovation in the Municipal Work' embodies the strategic importance of the concepts of creativity and innovation in municipal work for the development of municipal services and making them available to a wider population through the use of all modern electronic channels for their delivery. He noted that municipalities and   government agencies have proven their commitment and responsiveness to innovation by creating stimulating work environments. This was demonstrated by the launch of several creative and innovative projects such as adopting electronic services instead of traditional methods which has facilitated easier access to municipal services than ever before. 

The 'Forum for Best Practices in the field of Municipal Work' discussed various topics presented by the participants, including the achievements of the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water in the area of ​​innovation. These include the crushers and quarries using drones, innovative applications for the Sheikh Zayed Housing program, a modern approach to waste management, cloud seeding operations, the development of public service systems in municipalities, fulfilling visions for the future through the smart integration of applications and the development of smart cities, and the use of modern technology to conduct bridges infrastructure studies.

On the sidelines of the forum, His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water launched the first issue of its periodic electronic magazine: "Our Environment". The online magazine aims to promote environmental issues, introduce the community with the latest environmental achievements in the country and showcase the most important environmental laws and decisions by the Ministry for the sake of preserving the environment and its sustainability for present and future generations. The e-magazine also includes environmental laws, strategies, projects and initiatives of the ministry.

The forum also hosted organizations and programs such as the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program, Quebec Art Inc., Fujairah Municipality, Dubai Municipality, Department of Municipal affairs -

Abu Dhabi, Municipality and Planning Department - Ajman, the National Center of Meteorology & Seismology, and the University of Sharjah.

The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water organized the 5th edition of 'Best Practices in the field of Municipal Work' under the theme 'Waste Management and Strategies and Future Prospects' in December 2014. Held at Ajman Saray in Ajman under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Municipality and Planning Department - Ajman, the forum welcomed more than 150 specialists in municipal work.

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