Dubai dubbed as global leader in drive towards citizen happiness and achieving a knowledge-based digital economy

UAE, May 29, 2016- Dubai’s government is a global leader in fostering a start-up approach to drive citizen happiness and the knowledge-based Digital Economy, government and smart technologies experts announced today at a special majlis.

Attending the majlis, held at the Murjaan Ballroom at the Madinat Jumeirah Convention Centre under the theme of, “Citizens of the Future: Run Live, Run Happy,” were His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman, Smart Dubai Office, His Excellency Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Dubai, Her Excellency Dr.Aisha Bin Bishr, Director General, Smart Dubai Office, His Excellency Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Director General, Dubai Land, and Bill McDermott, CEO of global technology company SAP.

“In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai – which goes beyond the present to predict the future - we aim to make Dubai the smartest city on earth by 2017,” said His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

“The vision of the Smart Dubai initiative has been translated into reality because we have always been committed to adopt a collaborative approach with our strategic partners from the public and private sectors, aiming at making Dubai the smartest city on earth and a making it a global benchmark for smart cities in all domains and according to best international standards. The Smartt Dubai Office, through data sharing and constructive cooperation of all stakeholders, leads Dubai’s smart city transformation. We are leveraging the best technologies and implementing the latest innovations to consistently improve quality of life and to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. We exert every effort to consolidate and synergize strengths in an unprecedented manner fostering fruitful cooperation between the public and government sectors at all levels and in all aspects of life including economy, environment, health care, public transportation, open data and continuous education,” added His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

“Dubai citizens want government interaction to be as easy as with any other business. The Smart Dubai Office is working with the United Nations to develop global Smart City benchmarks, and using a real-time digital platform to consolidate, measure, and support innovative citizen services and happiness,” said Her Excellency Dr Aisha Bin Bishr, Director General, Smart Dubai Office.

In line with Dubai Plan 2021, the Smart Dubai Office is driving citywide and government-wide digital transformation, with the aim of making Dubai into the happiest city on the planet.

“Dubai is a global leader in fostering a start-up mindset for government-led innovation, and SAP was honored to join the conversation here today. Cities are facing major challenges in urbanization and citizen engagement globally. We see a strong opportunity to improve people’s lives by helping governments to share real-time data to solve real-world problems,” said Bill McDermott, CEO, SAP.

SAP co-innovates with UAE government agencies including DEWA and FEWA, and exchanges best practices with more than 4,500 governments worldwide through the SAP Future Cities platform.