Abu Dhabi: The 10th World Urban Forum (WUF10) today held the theme ‘The increasingly pervasive role of frontier technologies in fostering sustainable urbanization’, which ran through the day’s events and dialogues. WUF10 is being hosted from the 8th until the 13th February 2020 and is held in the Arab world for the first time. The Department of Urban Planning and Transport (DMT) is organizing the event in partnership with UN-Habitat.

H.E. Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Executive Director of Strategic Affairs at DMT and General Coordinator of the World Urban Forum 10 said: “The Department of Municipalities and Transport has been aligning its work with the global emergence of Smart and Digital Cities, through its comprehensive deployment of smart municipal services across the Emirate, extending from Planning to Development along with Community and Business Support. Through its Digital Transformation Program, DMT has led the roll out of a large number of initiatives designed to accelerate the delivery of smart and digital outcomes while providing truly digital experiences.”

Abu Dhabi has deployed a unified digital experience platform that replaces many online portals used for various core capabilities and simplifies the process of streamlining digital municipal services. This approach reduces the footfall of municipal services offices and allows residents to gain access to high quality services from their homes. Since the end of 2019, all municipal services for the Emirate are online.

H.E. Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Executive Director of Strategic Affairs at DMT and General Coordinator of the World Urban Forum 10, “Urban areas are increasingly characterized by the deployment of innovation and technology and by utilising user-centred data to inform the highest level of decision-making, providing a direct link to deeper understanding of all residents. The employment of digital platforms and technological approaches to decision-making has propelled a global movement towards smart cities. City governments are now harnessing frontier technology to increase entrepreneurship, prosperity and productivity.”

During the course of this week, WUF10 will welcome more than 20,000 international visitors representing more than 150 countries. The hosting of WUF10 presents a significant opportunity for Abu Dhabi and the UAE to showcase its achievements and role in promoting and implementing sustainable urban development, as Abu Dhabi continues its considerable steps towards being at the forefront of smart and sustainable cities.

The UN-Habitat conference aims to raise awareness on sustainable urbanisation in cities and liveability across the globe. The forum provides a platform for decision-makers, businesses, urban experts and academics to share their expertise and create sustainable urban development and smart cities of the future.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. 

As the host city, Abu Dhabi aims to make WUF10 the most attended and diverse World Urban Forum, since it was established in 2001. The DMT is working in close collaboration with UN-Habitat as well as the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to welcome more than 100 ministers and over 20,000 people from more than 160 countries.

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About Department of Municipalities and Transport

The Department of Municipalities and Transportation (DMT) was established by Law No. 30 of 2019 and is the entity responsible for managing the urban planning and transport sectors, and three regional municipalities.

As the entity responsible for supporting the growth and urban development of Abu Dhabi Emirate, the DMT guides, regulates and monitors urban development activities. The expert authority improves municipal work to provide comprehensive services and creates higher living standards for residents through the supervision and management of the municipalities.

The DMT ensures the highest standards of safety, security, sustainability and technological developments of land, air and maritime transport networks of the Emirate, in line with the highest international standards and UAE legislation.

One of the DMT’s top priorities is to fulfil the vision of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, which draws on the vision of our UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. 

About World Urban Forum:

Established in 2001, the World Urban Forum is the world’s premier gathering on urban issues. The Forum examines the impact of rapid urbanization and its implications for social, economic and environmental policies in communities, cities and towns. UN-Habitat, the convener of the Forum, is the United Nations focal point for sustainable urban development working for an inclusive and prosperous urban future.

The Forum will bring together some 20,000 delegates from more than 150 countries. It will provide an opportunity to strengthen relationships and engagement and demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating sustainable and context-based practices in developed and developing countries.

Placed under the theme “Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation”, WUF10 will be an opportunity for Abu Dhabi to further showcase its achievements in promoting and implementing sustainable urban development as well as playing a significant role in leveraging innovation and cultural. Key topics including human capital, resource management, education and mobility, data and much more, will also be discussed during the five-day conference. 

For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us on:
Hamdah Al Shamsi
Director of Media Affairs
+971 2 409 6347

Fatima Dhafer
PR Coordinator at DPM
+971 2 409 6318
fatima.dhafer@dpm.gov.abudhabi  

Salma Mustafa
UN-Habitat Regional Office of Arab States
+201 007 760 028
salma.mustafa@un.org 

Habib Bacha
+971 50 111 3799
habib.bacha@newgatecomms.com 

Shaimaa Aly
Account Executive
+971 (56) 971 4877
shaimaa.aly@newgatecomms.com 

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