Doha: In a recent editorial, Al-Raya newspaper highlighted the significant strides made by the State of Qatar in the realms of innovation and the digital economy. These advancements have enabled Qatar to spearhead the region’s digital transformation and sustainable development across various sectors. The country is dedicated to advancing its information and communication technology ecosystem, maximizing the potential of advanced technologies, which are pivotal to the Qatar National Vision 2030.
According to Qatar News Agency, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani was present at the launch of the Ministry of Municipality’s AI-powered building permit issuance system. This initiative exemplifies Qatar’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation and enhancing the quality and efficiency of public services.
Qatar is making substantial efforts to lead in digital transformation by leveraging AI and innovation. The aim is to bolster competitiveness, achieve leadership, and enhance sustainability. These efforts are in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, which focuses on strengthening government integration and digital transformation. The country coordinates efforts among ministries, government entities, and non-governmental organizations concerning digital governance programs and projects.
Al-Raya also emphasized Qatar’s ambitious plans and initiatives to expand the positive use of innovative technology. This strategic approach to digital transformation and artificial intelligence promotes research and development, increases competitiveness, and keeps pace with the latest digital skills.
Al-Watan daily noted that Qatar’s digital transformation journey began in 2003 with the e-Government Project and Portal launch. This provided comprehensive digital services, ensuring secure governance of information and communication technology. The early initiatives aimed to simplify government processes and enhance accessibility, focusing on improving citizens’ experiences and operational efficiency.
By 2014, the Qatar e-Government 2020 Strategy outlined a roadmap for future progress, marking significant advancement in the digital transformation journey. The recent inauguration of the Ministry of Municipality’s AI-powered building permit issuance system, attended by HE Prime Minister, is a testament to Qatar’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation.
The system allows building permits to be issued in just 120 minutes, down from 30 days, by reading engineering plans and automatically verifying compliance with approved standards. This simplifies procedures, improves user experience, and maintains technical precision. It signifies a national effort to expand artificial intelligence use across government entities, streamlining procedures and improving service delivery in support of Qatar National Vision 2030.
The Peninsula reported that the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) launched the National Cyber Security Strategy 2024-2030 last September. This strategy, aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030, aims to establish Qatar as a leader in cybersecurity and a pioneer in the safe use of emerging technologies.
The strategy is based on core values such as shared responsibility, risk management, result-oriented focus, protection of personal rights, economic prosperity, alignment, and cooperation. It serves as a roadmap to address emerging cybersecurity challenges and aims to establish robust frameworks for cooperation locally, regionally, and internationally.
Qatar’s signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi marks a significant step in the international system, reflecting a collective will to protect digital security. This commitment to cybersecurity aligns with Qatar’s role in mediation, building bridges, and promoting peaceful solutions, ensuring that peace extends to all dimensions of human life, including the digital realm.