The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a senior delegation from Smart Dubai Office for a roundtable breakfast in New York City on Friday, 5 May at IBM’s THINKLab facility and on the sidelines of Smart Cities NYC ’17. The delegation, which comprised Her Excellency Dr. Aisha bin Bishr, Director General, Smart Dubai Offices, Mr. Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director General of Smart Dubai Offices and CEO of Dubai Data Establishment, Mr. Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government Establishment, and Mr. Jihad Tayara, Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships, DU, were joined by senior executives from prominent U.S. ICT and Infrastructure companies and His Excellency Majid Al-Suwaidi, Consul General of the U.A.E. Consulate in New York.

In her brief introductory remarks, H.E. Dr. bin Bishr highlighted the importance of Smart Dubai’s mission of embracing technology and innovation to enhance the quality of life for citizens, residents, and visitors. She said, “Smart Dubai is the world’s first smart city initiative which focuses on greater happiness for the city, contrary to greater technology implementation. Hosting such roundtables give us the opportunity to share our learnings and experiences with other parts of the world, helping showcase different ways of increasing happiness in our cities and around the world.”

From L to R:  Jihad Tayara, VP Business Development and Partnerships, DU, Danny Sebright, President, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, Roslyn Docktor, Director, Watson Health Policy and MENA, IBM, H.E. Dr. Aisha bin Bishr, Director General, Smart Dubai Office, H.E. Majid Al-Suwaidi, Consul General, U.A.E. Consulate in New York, Wesam Lootah, CEO, Smart Dubai Government Establishment, Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director General, Smart Dubai Office and CEO, Dubai Data Establishment, and Hamad Al Awadhi, Associate Projects Manager, Smart Dubai Office

Following H.E. Dr. bin Bishr, Mr. Al Nasser and Mr. Lootah presented on the importance of Smart Dubai’s mandate of collaborating with private sector and government partners to empower, deliver, and promote efficient, seamless, safe, and impactful city experience for residents and visitors. “In less than three years Smart Dubai has surpassed its mandate for smart initiatives and smart services launched,” said Mr. Al Nasser. “We have now announced the next stage of our transformative roadmap, which will build on the successes that the initiative has experienced so far, and guide our city towards a smarter vision for 2021, that will always prioritize people’s happiness above all.”

After an impactful discussion by the three speakers, Mr. Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, opened the floor for Q&A. During this session, stakeholders were interested in learning more about smart transportation, blockchain, and Dubai data initiatives. After Q&A, stakeholders had an opportunity to discuss mutual partnerships with the Smart Dubai team.