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IDC Prepares To Host 16th Annual Middle East CIO Summit
This year’s event will feature in-depth discussions and presentations, as well as expert-led panel sessions on the hottest information and communications tech issues.
On the 22-23rd of February 2023, IDC will host the 16th edition of its annual Middle East CIO Summit at Dubai’s iconic Atlantis, The Palm hotel.
The digital economy has become a hot topic over the past few years. Web 3.0 and startup culture are gaining rapid traction across the MENA region, and organizations are hungry for information on how best to adapt their business models to suit the demands of modern, tech-savvy customers.
IDC‘s Middle East CIO Summit 2023 takes place under the theme “Enabling the Digital Economy’s Leaders”. It will examine the current state of the digital sector and its impact on citizens, customers, employees, and operations. Presentations and panel sessions will address critical challenges that must be resolved, and experts will outline best practices and strategies to help businesses achieve future success.
As for the event’s format, the venue will incorporate five different “Transformation Zones” showcasing pioneering technological advances in DevOps, customer experience, sustainability, Industry 4.0, and, of course, the Metaverse.
Also Read: Kuwait Aims For Digital Transformation With Google Partnership
“Today, almost every country in the region has a cohesive national vision for a digital economy that focuses on driving local economic value, employment creation, and social development by reaching the underserved. Whether it is accessing essential government services, purchasing products on digital platforms, or the shift to online learning and working, the impact of this mass transition to digital is evident everywhere,” says Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC vice president and regional MD for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa.
IDC’s research shows that internet penetration has reached 100% across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with over 50% of consumers regularly shopping online. Furthermore, in the UAE, digital payments (and contactless transactions) now account for 80% of all regional purchases, and the market is becoming increasingly reliant on 5g and cloud infrastructure. It seems then that 2023’s Middle East CIO Summit will be a pivotal event, helping businesses to create new customer experiences and drive innovation with their partners.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.