GCC Secretary General: Saudi Arabia Enjoys Global Stature in Digital Government Transformation

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
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GCC Secretary General: Saudi Arabia Enjoys Global Stature in Digital Government Transformation

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said Saudi Arabia enjoys a global stature in digital government transformation, which is carried out in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Kingdom is making distinctive and purposeful efforts in this field, he said during a meeting with Governor of the Digital Government Authority Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Alsuwaiyan at the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh.

The officials discussed several issues, including the Digital Government Award for GCC countries, which will be presented during the 5th Digital Government Forum hosted by Saudi Arabia in December. Albudaiwi was invited to attend the forum and participate in honoring the award winners.

Aspects of cooperation between the GCC General Secretariat and the Digital Government Authority in the field of digitalization were also explored. This includes strategic plans and initiatives aimed at boosting digital prosperity and addressing challenges to achieve growth and progress.

Albudaiwi praised the prominent role played by the Digital Government Authority in disseminating digital knowledge and exchanging experience.

He applauded the presentation made, which denotes the future aspirations and ambitions of the Kingdom, including carrying out digital transformation across all its ministries and institutions.



Nokia, Swisscom to Deploy Drone Service Across Switzerland

FILE PHOTO: People walk next to the Nokia stand as they attend the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 27, 2024. REUTERS/Bruna Casas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People walk next to the Nokia stand as they attend the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 27, 2024. REUTERS/Bruna Casas/File Photo
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Nokia, Swisscom to Deploy Drone Service Across Switzerland

FILE PHOTO: People walk next to the Nokia stand as they attend the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 27, 2024. REUTERS/Bruna Casas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People walk next to the Nokia stand as they attend the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 27, 2024. REUTERS/Bruna Casas/File Photo

Nokia has partnered up with Swisscom to deploy a drones network across Switzerland to improve emergency responses and infrastructure inspection, they said in a joint statement on Thursday.
The Finnish telecom gear maker will supply 300 un-manned vehicles that mobile provider Swisscom will operate through a drones-as-a-service (DaaS) network across the country.
DaaS is a business model that allows clients to use drones on demand without having to buy or operate them.
Swiss public safety agencies such as police or firefighters will be able to request a drone flight from Swisscom Broadcast and access collected data.
The technology would also enable remote inspection of power lines, solar panels, or oil and gas infrastructure, Thomas Eder, Nokia's head of embedded wireless told Reuters.
"Wherever you don't need to send a person because it might be hazardous, you can start by sending or ordering a drone," Eder said.
Beyond military applications, drones are being increasingly tested in areas such as delivery of goods, inspecting infrastructure, or farming.
But concerns remain over surveillance, noise and safety, despite the introduction of more laws to regulate drone use.
Nokia and Swisscom said they would cooperate with aviation and spectrum regulators and comply with data protection laws.
"If there is a beach or swimming hall where video captures should be avoided, then no-fly zones can be defined," Eder said.