Represented by the General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunications Sector (TRA), the UAE has chaired the second meeting of the International Telecommunications Union standardization sector.
The meeting of the (ITU-T) Study Group 20 "Internet of Things and Smart Cities" was hosted by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.Engineer Nasser Al Marzooqi, Chairman of the ITU-T Study Group 20, UAE representative to the ITU-Geneva, and ITU Affairs Manager represented TRA in the meeting.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Russian Republic, Japan, Spain,Southern Korea, Argentina, Italy, and China held the position of the study group Vice- Chairmen which illustrates the great importance of the new Study Group.In this context, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, UAE TRA Director General, "Internet of Things (IOT) is shaping the future of the world, as it is going to facilitate our journey towards smart cities and governments. This concept involves comprehensive societal, economic, and legal aspects. In light of this, UAE is eyeing IOT with great attention, particularly in light of the massive developments that the country is witnessing in terms of sustainable and smart cities. We are honored by chairing this international study group, as it reflects the UAE?s esteemed position in the international ICT industry."
"TRA is overseeing one of the most vital sectors to the smart transformation which is the telecommunication sector as it described as the nervous system of the Smart Cities. We are striving to ensure that this system is active and responsive to the requirements of giant projects like Dubai Smart City and Masdar." On the sidelines of the meeting, a forum on the Internet of Things and Smart Cities, entitled "a new era of smarter living" was held. Jacob Ibrahim, Singapore's Minister of Communications and Information delivered an opening speech where he highlighted Singapore?s vision for Smart Cities.The opening speech was followed by a speech by Mr. Chaesub Lee, Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau,ITU. Then, the Chairman of ITU Study Group 20 presented the meeting?s most significant highlights.The Study Group 20 is responsible for developing international standards that enable developing Internet of Things (IOT) technologies including smart cities.The meeting brought together more than 150 participants from ITU Member States,industry leaders, international and regional organizations, and invited experts. From UAE, TRA and Etisalat participated. Moreover,Etisalat chaired a working group.