WAM
19 May 2025

DUBAI, 19th May, 2025 (WAM) -- The Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI), in collaboration with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), launched the Government Technology 5.0 report.

Launched on MBRCGI's digital platform Ibtekr, the report showcases 11 pioneering international models for emerging technology applications in the public sector. The report aligns with MBRCGI's work to empower government entities to anticipate and prepare for the future.

Huda Al Hashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs, emphasised that the launch of the report reflects the UAE government's commitment to staying informed on the latest innovations and emerging technologies. She noted that the report is designed to help boost knowledge among government entities, enabling them to adopt agile and innovative operating models drawing on international experiences.

Al Hashimi said, "This report adds to the comprehensive bank of studies hosted on the Ibtekr platform and underlines MBRCGI's strong partnership with TDRA. Aligned with the centre's mission to accelerate the adoption of innovation and emerging technologies in government work, it strengthens the UAE's global leadership in this space through highlighting best practices from around the world."

Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director-General of TDRA, said, "Our collaboration with MBRCGI on the Government Technology 5.0 report supports the UAE's vision of establishing a future-ready government model built on innovation and advanced technologies."

He added, "The report reflects our commitment to enhancing the readiness of government entities by providing them with global insights into the latest technological applications. Such insights help entities to adopt smart solutions that improve service delivery and meet user expectations. At TDRA, we are always keen to support strategic partnerships for knowledge transfer and look forward to shaping global best practices that can continue to strengthen the UAE's leadership in digital transformation and realise its vision of a digital future."

Some of the examples highlighted in the report include the use of metaverse platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, autonomous vehicles, drones, and 5G networks to enhance public services.

The projects are Metaverse Seoul in the Republic of Korea, Project Ubin in Singapore (blockchain), blockchain applications in Brazil, autonomous environmental service vehicles in Singapore, drone air traffic management solutions in Japan, smart emergency and road maintenance vehicles in the UK, renewable energy monitoring projects in Bulgaria, and UAE initiatives such as the Global Blockchain Council, Dubai Metaverse Strategy, Name Ideas service, and the U Ask platform.

Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, launched the Metaverse Seoul project, becoming the world's first major city to deliver government services in a fully immersive, virtual 3D environment. Offering users an integrated digital experience, the initiative allows them to interact with government agencies via avatars. They can submit requests, attend events, and access civil, educational, and tourism services virtually.

Singapore's Project Ubin, spearheaded by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, is a pioneering blockchain-based project that enables efficient and transparent payments and securities transactions using central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in collaboration with major financial institutions.

Brazil's Digital Procurement solution was rolled out in the states of Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte. Blockchain-powered online bidding platforms were developed to allow secure, transparent, and efficient digital procurement. In addition to promoting integrity in government procurement, the platforms proved highly effective as a reliable digital touchpoint during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Singapore tested smart environmental service vehicles equipped with 5G technologies for autonomous street cleaning. Leveraging advanced sensors and high-resolution cameras, the labour-efficient vehicles deliver eco-friendly cleaning that minimise human involvement.

Japan introduced a drone traffic management system integrating AI and digital twin technology to enable safe drone operations in urban environments. The system supports logistics, emergency response, disaster management, and last mile delivery of medical and essential supplies in densely populated areas.

The UK launched its 5G Connected Smart Ambulance project, integrating virtual reality and 5G in ambulances to allow doctors to remotely diagnose patients via smart tools to monitor vital signs and carry out real-time communication. The system has helped accelerate emergency response times and improve patient outcomes.

The UK has developed a first-of-its-kind fully autonomous road repair robot, featuring robotic arms and advanced sensing technologies. Helping minimise worker exposure to risks, the robot expedites maintenance, reduces accident and infrastructure damage, and lowers emissions from heavy machinery.

Bulgaria piloted a real-time monitoring system for distributed renewable energy generation using 5G technology. Through enabling sub-second precision tracking of wind farm performance, the solution supports flexible electricity grid operations and helps operators make instant decisions to optimise efficiency and stability.

The Global Blockchain Council, an initiative launched by the Dubai Future Foundation to promote the adoption of blockchain across public and private sectors, comprises more than 40 leading technology firms, financial institutions, and government entities, working to boost blockchain adoption, knowledge sharing, and policymaking for the future.

The Dubai Metaverse Strategy aims to position Dubai as a global capital of emerging technologies through reinforcing digital infrastructure, attracting startups, and upskilling local talent in the education, healthcare, tourism, and remote work sectors by leveraging metaverse technologies.

Name Ideas, a generative AI-based service that suggests customised domain names for entrepreneurs and startups, helps support their digital presence and brand identity.

Ibtekr is the Arab world's first digital platform dedicated to innovation in government work. It aims to develop cutting-edge capabilities and build a new generation of Arab innovators and future leaders.

Offering educational tracks, methodologies, reports, toolkits, interactive training labs, and knowledge resources focused on scaling successful tools, practices, and innovation models, the Ibtekr platform empowers government entities to roll out initiatives and find innovative solutions to improve public sector services and quality of life.