(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: Speakers at the Doha Smart Cities Summit yesterday discussed the vital role of smart cities in tackling different challenges, with the current coronavirus pandemic the focal point. Organised by Msheireb Properties, the summit aimed to highlight smart cities and their roles in supporting sustainability in all aspects of daily lives.
The speakers discussed the vital role of smart cities for current and future generations and its high capabilities to tackle different challenges during pandemic times, and its role in supporting sustainability and water and energy efficiency. Representatives from Amsterdam and Singapore also shared their smart cities experiences.
Acting CEO Msheireb Properties, Ali Al Kuwari; Asst Undersecretary of Digital Society Development, Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), Reem Mohammed Al Mansoori; Secretary-General of Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Hassan Al Thawadi; and Vodafone CEO Sheikh Hamad Al Thani spoke on ‘How a smart downtown district, city, and country take on a pandemic using the Qatar model.'
Al Mansoori highlighted the government's various initiatives to create a knowledge-based society through technological advancement and sustainability.
'Our passion for innovation will leave a legacy for generations to come. Today digital transformation is at the top of government agendas worldwide. The unprecedented challenges brought by COVID-19 forced many countries and organisations to accelerate their digital strategies. The MoTC launched the TASMU Smart Qatar Program. TASMU harnesses advanced technology and innovation to deliver smart solutions and applications across five priority sectors transport, healthcare, logistics, environment, and sports, she said.
Reem Mohammed Al Mansoori
'This year, to help reduce the strain on our health sector, due to COVID-19, we accelerated the implementation of one of our existing smart solutions in healthcare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), we launched virtual consultation services at PHCC, HMC, and Sidra. In addition to that and to combat the virus, we, alongside MoPH and MoI, launched the Ehteraz application, she added.
Al Thawadi noted the connection between sustainability and legacy while emphasising the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022's role. He also stated that the SC is working on finalising more initiatives to promote sustainability.
'It has been ten years since we won the right to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and there are only two years left to deliver the first World Cup in the region when it kicks off at the Al Bayt Stadium. It is no secret; there is a close connection between sustainability and legacy. We have affirmed our commitment to them both since we started preparing the World Cup bid. We continue to work to host the first version of the World Cup that is eco-friendly as far as carbon emissions are concerned.
'We are currently working on finalizing several smart initiatives which will ensure that our visitors (for Qatar 2022) will enjoy an exceptional, unparalleled experience in 2022, Al Thawadi said.
Meanwhile, Vodafone Qatar CEO Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani said smart cities are now a necessity and not a luxury. He reiterated Vodafone's commitment to Msheireb Downtown Doha through its 5G network installation.
'The transformation to smart cities is no longer a luxury but a necessity that is required to solve some of the greatest challenges the world is facing. We have invested heavily in building the foundation of a smart digital city that enables integration, analysis, and data sharing. Our investments also include a 5G network. Our partnership with Msheireb Downtown Doha reflects our commitment to accelerating Qatar's journey towards becoming one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, he said.
Other speakers at the summit discussed cybersecurity in smart cities and the importance of implementing digital systems services, mobility, and autonomous vehicles, and creating a new transportation business model. Other topics were innovation and sustainability from lifestyle shift to climate change, and a pandemic-ready smart city model, outlining smart cities' readiness and preparedness in the stages of lockdown.
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