WeGO Smart City Initiatives in the Middle East: Highlights from AIM 2024
Abu-Dhabi, May 8th – WeGO, the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization, solidified its presence and commitment to advancing smart city initiatives in the Middle East during the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2024, held from May 7th to 9th in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Hosted by the Annual Investment Meeting Foundation, this year’s AIM theme, “Adapting to a Shifting Investment Landscape: Harnessing New Potential for Global Economic Development,” provided an ideal platform for WeGO to engage with global leaders and stakeholders.
WeGO’s participation in AIM 2024 included a series of strategic engagements and discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation in smart city development. WeGO visited Expo City Dubai and held a constructive meeting with officials from Dubai Municipality, exploring avenues for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Also, WeGO joined the STO event alongside Mayor Oh and other dignitaries, underscoring its commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable urban development.
On the first day of the AIM 2024, WeGO Secretary-General Jung Sook Park contributed to the Global Leaders Debate, focusing on the future paradigm shift in investment opportunities to foster sustainable economic growth, diversity, and prosperity. Ms. Park emphasized the holistic nature of smart city concepts, which extend beyond technology to encompass collaborative problem-solving and citizen participation. She also highlighted the Seoul Smart City Prize, inviting cities to participate and celebrate diverse city efforts in advancing smart city initiatives.
WeGO held bilateral meetings with key stakeholders, including city officials and leaders from Abu-Dhabi, Abuja, Accra, Dakar, Dubai City, Dubai EXPO, Kampala, Makati, Masdar City, Quelimane and Ramallah focusing on collaborative strategies for smart city development, focusing on smart city development strategies. The Secretary-General emphasized that smart city concepts extend beyond technology, encompassing a culture of collaborative problem-solving. Cities were encouraged to participate in the Seoul Smart City Prize, celebrating diverse city efforts. WeGO further showcased the Seoul Smart City Prize through an expo booth, engaging with stakeholders interested in competing for the prize and exploring WeGO membership opportunities.
WeGO also signed an MOU with the Malaysia Smart Cities Alliance Association to exchange expertise on urban issues, smart city development, sustainability, and digitalization. The new partnership also includes co-organizing events such as training programs, conferences, seminars, and workshops in Malaysia and South Korea.
WeGO also co-hosted a City Mayors’ Roundtable on Smart Cities in partnership with UN-Habitat. Mayors from WeGO member cities in the MENA, Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions engaged in a panel discussion to explore innovative approaches to smart city development. WeGO Secretary-General opened a City Mayors’ Roundtable by welcoming distinguished guests and participants.
“I encourage you to view today’s forum as both a platform for dialogue and action. I invite all participants to showcase their sustainable smart city initiatives by applying for the Prize, contributing to shaping a future where cities are not only smart but also sustainable, inclusive, and resilient” – said the WeGO Secretary General.
During the AIM 2024, one of the notable events was the grand inauguration of the WeGO MENA Regional Office in Abu Dhabi. This ceremony aimed to advance WeGO’s vision and smart city initiatives throughout the region. Among the esteemed guests and dignitaries were H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities & Transport, and Mayor Oh Se-hoon, President of WeGO. Notable figures such as the Mayor of Makati, the Mayor of Ramallah, the Executive Director of Kampala, the Deputy Mayor of Abuja (representing WeGO’s African Regional Office), and the Secretary General of Tunis graced the occasion. The MENA Regional Office endeavors to expand its network by engaging both current and prospective local government members, creating platforms for sharing knowledge and best practices tailored to the distinct needs and approaches of the MENA region.
Finally, WeGO had a new member signing ceremony with the mayor of Quelimane, Mr. Manuel de Araújo who also joined the City Mayors’ Roundtable.
About WeGO
The World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO), is a membership-based international association of local governments, smart tech solution providers, and institutions committed to the transformation of cities into smart sustainable cities through facilitating public-private partnerships (PPP). WeGO was founded by 50 member cities in 2010 as the World e-Governments Organization, hence our acronym. In response to the evolving concept of smart cities, WeGO expanded its vision and mandate at the 7th General Assembly (2017) and its name to the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization. WeGO’s Secretariat is based in Seoul, Korea, and has regional offices in East Asia (Chengdu, China), the Mediterranean (Beyoglu, Turkey), Africa (Abuja, Nigeria), Middle East & North Africa (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates), Latin America (Cuenca, Ecuador), and Central Asia (Almaty, Kazakhstan). As the leading platform on smart city development, WeGO’s mission is to share knowledge and good practices in e-Governance; strengthen administrative efficiency and transparency; advance digital capacity; facilitate civic involvement; bridge the digital divide and inequality; and promote cooperation solidarity among cities and local governments around the world.
WeGO serves for its members as their international platform to improve the quality of life, innovate in the delivery of public services, and strengthen regional competitiveness.
Press Contact:
Name: Kakim Danabayev
E-mail: kakim@we-gov.org
Phone: +82-70-4202-9169