The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) is set to host the inaugural Riyadh Smart Cities Forum in early 2024. This event aims to gather national, regional, and global experts to foster discussions about people-centric, smart, and sustainable cities in Saudi Arabia. The forum is a result of SDAIA's newly established three-year partnership with FIRA Barcelona, the organizer of the annual Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The Riyadh Smart Cities Forum will serve as a platform to showcase Saudi Arabia's latest smart city innovations and facilitate conversations among city leaders, mayors, digital governance bodies, and sustainability experts from around the world.

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His Excellency Dr. Esam Alwagait, the director of the National Information Centre at SDAIA, highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to innovation and sustainability, positioning the country as a leader in the global shift towards smarter cities. He emphasized the focus on citizens' well-being and needs as central to reshaping urban spaces and providing forward-thinking models for future metropolises.