ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, has chaired the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) meeting, held at Qasr Al Watan.

The meeting reviewed updates on SASC’s strategic and operational consultancy project, along with future plans aimed at fostering investment in the autonomous systems sector within the emirate. Discussions focused on enhancing the operating environment for smart transportation, promoting the adoption of advanced technology and artificial intelligence-driven solutions in the development and deployment of autonomous systems.

During the meeting, His Highness highlighted the importance of developing a unified and comprehensive strategy to enhance the autonomous smart systems sector’s role in achieving clear and measurable outcomes to help position the industry as a key economic driver.

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His Highness also emphasised the need to identify the requirements of relevant stakeholders in the sector, paving the way for establishing contracts, forging strategic partnerships, and attracting leading companies in the field to operate in Abu Dhabi, contributing to the emirate's sustainable development.

His Highness underscored the pivotal role of smart autonomous systems in advancing logistics services by integrating sustainable, autonomous transportation solutions to improve the efficiency of land, sea, and air transport systems, further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional leader in investment in sustainable transportation solutions and as a hub for specialised talent in the sector.

His Highness also directed SASC to prioritise the development of incentive programmes for leading companies in the autonomous systems sector. These programmes aim to encourage innovative projects that enhance operational efficiency in logistics, commercial transportation, and maritime and air freight through autonomous technologies, aligning with efforts to accelerate Abu Dhabi’s technological transformation in supporting the development of a knowledge and innovation-driven economy.

The meeting also discussed the outcomes of SASC strategy and future projects, including the establishment of a comprehensive infrastructure for autonomous systems and the application of advanced technologies across key economic, industrial, and commercial sectors.

Additionally, the meeting addressed plans to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to streamline approval processes and implement operational requirements for autonomous systems across testing facilities for land, sea, and air transportation, in line with applicable laws and regulations and best sustainable transportation practices.

The meeting was attended by His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; His Excellency Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Advisor to President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology; His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport; His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; His Excellency Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, Acting Office Director of the Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and His Excellency Badr Saleem Sultan Al-Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.