Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi has been ranked as the smartest city in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for the third consecutive year by the IMD Smart City Index released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland in collaboration with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) for 2023.
The study surveyed 120 residents in 118 cities worldwide and evaluated the current infrastructure as well as the digital services available to them in five main pillars, including health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities (work and education systems), and governance.
Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), expressed his pride in Abu Dhabi’s ranking as the smartest city in the region.
“At DMT, we are working diligently to harness technology and utilise it to enhance the quality of life for citizens and residents in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We will continue to work to build on the momentum of achievements to enhance Abu Dhabi’s leadership in this field,” the Chairman added.
Abu Dhabi surpassed several international capitals to rank 13th globally out of the 141 cities included in the current ranking. The city’s achievement was attributed to the development of many key sectors in the emirate, such as the smart transportation sector and the smart economy. The city has also built interactive platforms with the public to identify their needs and aspirations, placing them at the centre of government work, in addition to developing and facilitating access to services for citizens.
The IMD Smart City Index is a significant reference for international organisations, decision-makers, and institutions to measure the impact of national strategies on enhancing the quality of life for people, achieving progress, and promoting welfare levels.