Sharjah: Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) hosted the inaugural Sharjah Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Forum, bringing together government entities and technology companies to enhance digital transformation through GIS. Held at Aljada by Arada in Sharjah, the forum attracted around 172 participants, including senior officials from various government departments. Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director-General of Sharjah Digital Department, emphasised the forum’s role as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, highlighting the importance of spatial data in supporting decision-making and improving public services.
According to Emirates News Agency, Lamya Obaid Al-Hosan Al Shamsi highlighted the role of GIS in urban planning, infrastructure management, and public services, describing it as a tool for sustainable development guided by strategic planning. She reaffirmed SDD’s commitment to strengthening this sector through workforce empowerment and collaborative efforts. Al Shamsi also highlighted the Mada Geographic Data Platform, launched at GITEX 2024, as a centralised database for geospatial data sharing among UAE government entities, enhancing spatial planning and public services.
Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director-General of Sharjah City Municipality, noted the municipality’s experience with GIS, including the Smart Inspection system and the digital platform for issuing No Objection Certificates for sewage services. Fatima Juma, Head of the GIS Department at the Department of Town Planning and Survey, outlined the department’s focus on geospatial data, geographic artificial intelligence, and smart city development, emphasising GIS’s role in urban planning.
Khalid Abdullah Al Zarooni, Head of Information Technology at Sharjah Archaeology Authority, presented the Archaeological Geographic Information System, a project dedicated to preserving Sharjah’s cultural heritage using digital mapping. The forum featured sessions exploring GIS applications in disaster prediction, urban planning, archaeological site protection, and advanced technologies such as digital twin models and artificial intelligence for smart geospatial solutions.
The event concluded with a ceremony recognising the contributions of participating entities to digital transformation and smart government performance.