During the opening ceremony of the 7th edition of the Bahrain Smart Cities Summit 2024, held from March 5th to 6th at the Gulf Hotel, the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) clinched the prestigious Smart Cities Award in the category of "Advancements in Food Security and Agri-Tech" for its groundbreaking Botanical Atlas project.

Mohammed Ali Al-Qaed, the iGA Chief Executive, expressed profound gratitude to the organizers of the award and the summit, emphasizing the Botanical Atlas project's significance in providing innovative solutions that bolster sustainable practices and fortify food security. Launched in March 2023, the Botanical Atlas project stands as a national endeavor offering a unique initiative facilitating crop health monitoring, agricultural land use optimization, aquaculture, and innovative food distribution.

Al-Qaed extended his congratulations to the dedicated team behind the Botanical Atlas project for their outstanding achievement, commending their relentless efforts in its successful implementation. He encouraged the team to persist in their dedication towards attaining further local, regional, and global milestones in the realm of information systems.

The Botanical Atlas project boasts key features including detailed maps of vegetation cover in the Kingdom of Bahrain, incorporating various classification themes such as crop types, areas, and locations. Leveraging satellite imagery, remote sensing techniques, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the project provides intelligent insights to bolster agriculture, farming, and food production.

Dr. Khalid Al Mutawah, iGA’s Deputy Chief Executive of Operations & Governance, showcased Bahrain's experience in adopting the Cloud First Policy during the panel session "Bahrain's Smart City Vision." He highlighted the impact of employing the National Cloud in the government sector on enhancing efficiency, service quality, and cost rationalization. This strategic approach has facilitated the integration of emerging technologies such as AI and big data, alongside fostering partnerships with leading technology firms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft.

Furthermore, Dr. Sheikha May bint Mohamed Al Khalifa, Director of Geographic Information Systems at iGA, is slated to participate in a panel discussion titled "GIS and Smart Sustainable Cities." Scheduled for the summit's second day, Dr. Sheikha May will underscore the significance of GIS and digital twinning in smart city design and management. She will also shed light on upcoming projects by the authority geared towards supporting future trends, including the planning and design of smart cities utilizing cutting-edge geographic technologies and AI.

Concurrently, iGA showcased its latest eServices and projects such as the Building Permit Portal (Benayat) and Planning Platform through a stand at the summit's exhibition. This engagement reflects iGA's commitment to advancing digital initiatives and fostering innovation in Bahrain's smart city ecosystem.

The 7th edition of the Bahrain Smart Cities Summit 2024 served as a platform to explore various crucial topics, including sustainable smart government projects, the National Afforestation Campaign, the utilization of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) in urban infrastructure and smart electricity grids, as well as the role of AI in enhancing security and safety in smart cities, alongside addressing electronic fraud.