Minister of Communications: Qatar Continues Work to Enhance Status in Technological Field Regionally, Internationally

Doha, November 29 (QNA) - Under the esteemed patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) launched today the third edition of Smart City Expo Doha 2023 at the Conference Center of Al Bidda Park in the Cultural Zone.
This event serves as a leading platform to explore urban innovation opportunities and develop sustainable cities through a diverse range of in-depth discussions, and dialogues led by distinguished figures from Qatar, the region, and around the world.
HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, emphasized in his speech at the opening of the third edition of Smart City Expo Doha 2023 that Qatar, in its journey towards the future, continues to focus on the latest technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, digital twinning, cloud computing, and big data, to enhance its position in technological innovation regionally and globally. He highlighted that Qatar's success story in this field will showcase the strength of innovative solutions in the smart city system. He pointed out that the slogan of Expo reflects the significant evolution in Qatar's digital transformation.
The third edition of the conference follows the successes of the past editions in 2019 and 2022. He said that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is on its way to making data science a pivotal factor in its developmental plans, guided by the national development strategy, which considers digitization as the cornerstone of Qatar's development, noting that this aligns with Qatar's National Vision 2030 illuminated by the TASMU program, aimed at elevating Qatar's position as a hub for technological innovation, connecting individuals, improving their lives, and building a knowledge-based digital economy.
His Excellency highlighted that since the Doha Smart Cities Expo 2022, the TASMU program has made significant progress in implementing smart city projects, such as the instant crowd management platform and the transportation system established in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and other government entities. It played a vital role in ensuring a seamless experience for fans during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, gathering and analyzing vast amounts of data to optimize crowd movement. The platform efficiently handled the dynamic movement of millions of fans, enabling different entities to access crucial data for rapid decision-making during the tournament. This led to the enhancement of the transportation system, effectively managing nearly 7 million visitors across more than 200 routes within buses, metro networks, and other public transport.
His Excellency stressed that to maximize technology's benefits, institutions must collaborate to build a data-integrated smart Qatar, supporting decisions and improving the lives of citizens and residents. He highlighted the launch of TASMU Accelerator yesterday, an advanced initiative serving as a beacon for innovation in Qatar and supporting startup companies in the technology field, enabling strategic partnerships with both public and private sector institutions, contributing to Qatar's digital transformation journey.
The closing session, scheduled for tomorrow, witnesses extensive participation from various parts of the world, solidifying Doha's position as a smart city innovation hub.
During a discussion session following the exhibition's opening, CEO of Qatar Diar Eng. Abdullah Al Attiyah, , shared the company's experience in creating smart cities, citing Lusail City founded on advanced technological infrastructure.
The discussion also covered the future of smart cities, their sustainability, security, effectiveness, as well as the challenges facing the construction of smart cities and other associated concepts. (QNA)