Top geospatial seminar opens in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, December 10, 2012
The global geospatial community turns to Abu Dhabi to learn about the future of geospatial technology and its impact on the Middle East and Africa as Esri, a leading provider of geographic information system (GIS) software and geodatabase management applications, opens its regional conference.
More than 2,000 participants from around the region are taking part in the Esri Middle East and Africa User Conference (MEAUC) which began on Monday (December 10) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The three-day conference is regarded as the MEA region’s biggest GIS event, according to the event organisers.
A major highlight is the official signing of a MoU between Esri and the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC) aiming to collaboratively harness GIS capabilities for enabling society.
Under the terms of the agreement, both parties will work together on the Advancement of Spatial Thinking, GIS Planning and Monitoring, GIS Licensing and Support, and Outreach and Sharing of Best Practices. This marks the first time that Esri has signed an agreement with an entire government.
ADSIC, the government entity overseeing the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Spatial Data Infrastructure as well as all aspects of Abu Dhabi’s GIS and IT investments, says that the MoU ushers in a new age of technology-powered growth for the emirate.
"All over the world we can observe how GIS and other geospatial tools have become an integral part of municipal planning, resource management, and other vital government activities," remarked Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, the director general of ADSIC.
The Abu Dhabi Government’s partnership with Esri courtesy of ADSIC represents a major step in modernizing government services in keeping with global trends and the region-wide focus on creating genuinely digital societies.
"Esri’s MEA User Conference is an important platform for affirming Abu Dhabi’s commitment to spatially-enabled development and for encouraging other governments across the region to follow suit," he added.
Abu Dhabi Executive Committee chairman Mohammed Ahmed Al-Bawardi said, “The Abu Dhabi government continues to adopt excellence and hard work in its efforts to realize the vision of our wise leadership in all economic and social areas, especially in the fields of education and technology development."
"As a global trend, GIS is a primary enabler of processes and procedures between various parties. It accelerates development and improves government services such as planning, analysis and performance management to support the decision-making process on various levels," he noted.
"The strategic partnership between Abu Dhabi and Esri is an important step towards optimizing the use of all related services and capabilities in capacity-building and achieving the government's vision of a Geo-mature society," he added.
Prior to the conference, ADSIC invited experts from Esri’s California, US headquarters to provide a detailed explanation of the scope and relevance of the Esri-ADSIC deal.
The agreement advances the important strategic role of GIS in the renaissance of the emirate.-TradeArabia News Service
