As part of its efforts to support digital integration across government entities and promote data-driven decision-making, Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) organised the second edition of the Sharjah GIS Forum under the theme “Digital Transformation Through Geographic Information Systems”.
The forum was attended by H.E. Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of SDD, and brought together more than 150 experts, specialists, decision-makers, and representatives from government entities, academic institutions, and organisations working in the fields of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital transformation.
The event was held in line with Sharjah’s efforts to develop an integrated government ecosystem that enables collaboration between entities through shared data and digital services, with the aim of supporting decision-making processes and improving service delivery.
The forum highlighted the role of GIS in supporting digital transformation initiatives through the integration of geospatial data, the adoption of GIS solutions across government projects and services, and the use of accurate geographic information to support planning and operational decisions.
In her opening remarks, H.E. Eng. Lamia Al Hosan Al Shamsi, Director of SDD, said that geospatial information has become an important resource for planning and decision-making. She noted that GIS has evolved beyond digital mapping to become a tool that connects data with location-based insights, helping government entities better understand urban development, community requirements, and service performance.
She added that Sharjah’s digital transformation strategy focuses on strengthening integration between government entities through shared digital infrastructure, improved data exchange, and coordinated service delivery. She noted that GIS supports these objectives by enabling the integration of information across sectors, including urban planning, infrastructure management, sustainability, and digital government services.
The forum also served as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among government entities, academic institutions, and private-sector organisations involved in GIS and digital transformation.
The programme included an introductory presentation on GIS applications across sectors such as food and agriculture, infrastructure, smart cities, environment, and sustainability. It also featured four presentations by specialists from government entities across the UAE, two panel discussions, and a technical session focused on recent GIS technologies and solutions.
The Sharjah GIS Forum aims to support government integration through the use of geospatial data, facilitate collaboration between stakeholders, and contribute to the development of a connected and sustainable digital ecosystem in the emirate.
