DM attends "Glocalization" Conference in Ankara

Dubai Municipality is showcasing its experiences in the field of e-governance as a pioneering experience at the world cities level in the conference, which is being held during June 30 - July 3.

Dubai Municipality was invited for this prestigious conference after it won the 2006 UN Award for Public Services in the area of application of Information and Communications Technology in the e-government sector.

The conference draws its importance from the fact that it is being attended by Mayors of world cities, global and local leaders, representatives of international companies and organizations, media personalities, religious leaders, businessmen, youth representatives and well-known musicians and singers to carry on the efforts of enhancing the global vision emerged out of the Rome conference in 2002. This conference had established and developed global and local partnerships in different parts of the world.

The main theme of the conference, sponsored by the Ankara Municipality, is "Meeting of Civilizations" in order to establish bridges between different civilizations and cultures.

Building on the success of the four previous annual conferences, the Fifth Annual Glocalization Conference will unite a prestigious group of representatives from 60 world cities, 40 representatives from international organizations including the World Bank and the United Nations, around 100 singers, businessmen, talented youth leaders and representatives from nongovernmental organizations.

Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, who is heading the Dubai delegation said: "The conference sheds light on the basic principle of global and local partnership and focuses on the role of the mayors of cities in establishing bridges between them for a more harmonious, balanced and safe world."

Different sessions of the conference will discuss and analyze many vital issues of the world today and there will also be presentations on projects and issues. The conference will be discussing Intra-City Diversity and how cities can embrace cultural, religious and ethnic diversities, and ensure security, social inclusion and economic growth.

Lootah said the conference will also discuss City Diplomacy and how it can contribute to peace processes and conflict resolution. In this context the conference will specially look into the role of technology and internet in strengthening interaction between cities and promoting cooperation and understanding between societies and civilizations.

He said the conference will also deliberate on Youth Empowerment and how local governments and communities can activate worldwide social reforms in order to take advantage of the opportunities presented by increased urbanization and the current window of growth in the youth population.

These issues will be addressed in a variety of sessions and special events in which leading players will together construct glocal bridges between societies and civilizations. Additionally, in-depth sessions will be held on Children under the title, "We Are the Future," and how cities from different civilizations are working together to help vulnerable children and youth in conflict and post-conflict cities while also fostering understanding between their populations.

There will be a special session on Media and the fundamental role of today's media in affecting relations among societies. In the session on ICT - the eCities Network Program it will be sought how technology can be used to promote city-to-city cooperation and understanding between societies and civilizations.

In the session on Peace building many endeavours for peace in the world will be discussed such as the necessity to create a new bridge - a glocal bridge - between societies and civilizations. Other aspects of deliberations will include social projects for women, children, youth, families and disabled people and recreation and rehabilitation areas.

The Dubai Municipality delegation will also hold discussions with the municipal chairman of Ankara, Malih Ghoksik on the ways to enhance cooperation between the two cities.

Ghoksik praised the excellent bilateral relation between Turkey and the UAE and relations between Dubai and Turkish cities. He said this cooperation has further enhanced after the recent announcement on the investment projects that Dubai will be taking up in Turkey.

Ghoksik said Ankara is offering many investment opportunities for Emaratis, especially in the areas of real estate, hotels and tourist resorts. He said the Ankara city will be effecting many infrastructure changes including new airport, roads, bridges, residential projects and parks that will change the face of the city.

He also took the Dubai Municipality delegation on a tour of the projects that are currently being undertaken by Ankara Municipality. Ghoshik said both countries enjoy an excellent economic relation as there are many Turkish companies operating in the UAE, who help strengthen the trade exchanges and create mutual investment opportunities.

The Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality praised the work done by Ankara Municipality and the public private partnership and the way Ankara Municipality hands over projects to private companies and get infrastructure facilities established for the Municipality.

The Dubai Municipality delegation also paid a visit to the IBM Laboratory in the UK and got a brief on the future products and programme solutions of the company.

Lootah said the delegation was briefed on the latest in the world of wireless technology, systems and management and e-government.