9 March 2022
With the overall vision of the Solomon Islands using Expo 2020 Dubai as a platform to ‘Connect Minds & Create the Future’, Deputy Commissioner General & Pavilion Director Mr. Dennis Marita has warmly embraced an initiative proposed by Terminus Group, a leader in technological innovation to begin the process of introducing its ‘Smart City Initiative’ to the Government of Solomon Islands including relevant stakeholders.
Mr. Victor Polovyan of Nova.LC in welcoming DCG Marita said that “The main goal of a smart city is to optimize city functions and promote economic growth while also improving the quality of life for citizens by using smart technologies and data analysis. The value lies in how this technology is used rather than simply how much technology is available”.
Mr. Polovyan added that for a developing Pacific Island nation like the Solomon Islands, the benefits would entail having a more effective, data-driven decision-making, enhanced citizen and government engagement process, creating safer communities, reduced environmental footprint, Improved transportation, increased digital equity, creation of new economic development opportunities, efficient public utilities, improved infrastructure and guaranteeing an increased workforce engagement as a highly effective workforce is an essential criterion for realizing an efficient smart city since the deployment of smart technologies helps alleviate the burden of manual tasks that many city employees face every day.
In acknowledging the facilitation by Nova.LC to introduce this new innovation, DCG Marita has also urged national policy makers and planners that; “It’s time to put things into perspective and in order. Time to be more professional, organised, structural and compatible to current global standards and operating procedures. It's time to set standards on how we do things, especially when it comes to urban development in areas like town planning, infrastructure development, utility services, communication technology and other social support services. We must see how we can better connect with ourselves, as well as with the rest of the world. We are left behind for quite some time now whilst the rest of the world is trodding way ahead. We need a lot of catching up to do; otherwise, development may as well be a matter of thought and aspiration”.
DCG Marita further inquired about the risks of Cyber-attacks since the adoption of any Artificial Intelligence System or Digital platform also faced the risk of Cyber-attacks or interference, of which Mr. Polovyan said there were counter software applications which will help protect users from such intrusions by hackers.
Mr. Polovyan added that deploying smart technologies in the Solomon Islands will greatly alleviate the burden of manual tasks that many city employees were engaged in previously especially in the areas of Town and Country Planning as Artificial Intelligence systems will be the driving mechanism that will drive development further and where prospective investors will also be able to acquire invaluable information that will encourage them to further invest in the Solomon Islands including the Tourism industry.
Mr. Polovyan further requested for a virtual meeting with the relevant authorities and stakeholders in the Solomon Islands, of which DCG Marita agreed upon in order to expedite this new initiative by Terminus Group on the margins of Expo 2020 Dubai.
ENDS.
Source. GCU.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
