Unified Geospatial Platform: Boosting Service Management Efficiency for Makkah City, Holy Sites

The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is making significant advancements in building an advanced technical platform with the launch of the Unified Geospatial Platform project for Makkah. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is making significant advancements in building an advanced technical platform with the launch of the Unified Geospatial Platform project for Makkah. (SPA)
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Unified Geospatial Platform: Boosting Service Management Efficiency for Makkah City, Holy Sites

The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is making significant advancements in building an advanced technical platform with the launch of the Unified Geospatial Platform project for Makkah. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is making significant advancements in building an advanced technical platform with the launch of the Unified Geospatial Platform project for Makkah. (SPA)

Geospatial information systems have become vital for driving economic growth, maintaining security, accelerating development, and facilitating decision-making.

They are pivotal in fostering creativity and innovation by enabling the smart use of geospatial information to achieve sustainable development goals and ensure long-term economic growth.

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites is making significant advancements in building an advanced technical platform with the launch of the Unified Geospatial Platform project for Makkah.

This initiative aims to create a unified framework for the governance and utilization of geospatial data for the city, making it accessible through a single platform, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

This project is the cornerstone of the Royal Commission's ambitious plan to integrate modern technologies with geospatial information systems.

This integration supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Royal Commission's strategic objectives to boost service delivery in Makkah, improve city management efficiency, and provide an exceptional experience for citizens and visitors through high productivity and a diversified economy.

In recognition of its achievements, the Royal Commission for Makkah City and the Holy Sites received the Exceptional Performance Award in Geospatial Information Systems at the 2024 Esri World Conference.

The award highlights the entities and users worldwide that demonstrate vision, innovation, leadership, and dedication in their use of geospatial information systems (GIS) technology. It reflects the Royal Commission’s commitment to developing Makkah according to the highest international standards.



Albania Bans TikTok for a Year after Killing of Teenager

A view of the TikTok app logo, in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2020. (AP)
A view of the TikTok app logo, in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2020. (AP)
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Albania Bans TikTok for a Year after Killing of Teenager

A view of the TikTok app logo, in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2020. (AP)
A view of the TikTok app logo, in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2020. (AP)

Albania on Saturday announced a one-year ban on TikTok, the popular short video app, following the killing of a teenager last month that raised fears over the influence of social media on children.

The ban, part of a broader plan to make schools safer, will come into effect early next year, Prime Minister Edi Rama said after meeting with parents' groups and teachers from across the country.

"For one year, we'll be completely shutting it down for everyone. There will be no TikTok in Albania," Rama said.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours.

Several European countries including France, Germany and Belgium have enforced restrictions on social media use for children. In one of the world's toughest regulations targeting Big Tech, Australia approved in November a complete social media ban for children under 16.

Rama has blamed social media, and TikTok in particular, for fueling violence among youth in and outside school.

His government's decision comes after a 14-year-old schoolboy was stabbed to death in November by a fellow pupil. Local media had reported that the incident followed arguments between the two boys on social media. Videos had also emerged on TikTok of minors supporting the killing.

"The problem today is not our children, the problem today is us, the problem today is our society, the problem today is TikTok and all the others that are taking our children hostage," Rama said.