Under the patronage of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior for Resources and Support Services, opened on Sunday the 84th Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) PC/TC Meetings and Conference at the Armed Forces Officer’s Club in Abu Dhabi. The OGC PC/TC Meetings and Conference is organized by the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Abu Dhabi Police GIS Center for Security, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre (ADSIC). An elite group of international, regional, and local experts are participating in the event, which will continue until March 21st.
In his opening speech, Major General Al Khaili welcomed the participants to the conference, which is being held for the first time in the MENA region- in the United Arab Emirates. He extended his greetings from the higher police commandment to the participants, wishing them good luck and success.
He said: “The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Interior, and the other governmental entities that are concerned with local geographical information, realize the importance of this field as it increases its capacities and develops its geospatial infrastructure. It also enhances the transfer and exchange of information and services among different governmental entities by encouraging and supporting open-form standards.”
He said that the Ministry of Interior is keen to organize a series of meetings that involve concerned governmental entities, explaining the significant role played by the ministry to coordinate efforts and organize distinguished initiatives. These coordinated efforts result in tangible advances in many international programs related to standards, in addition to best practices. “The Ministry of Interior is thoroughly convinced that these efforts have a positive impact on security and safety for our generous homeland and its citizens, residents, and visitors,” he continued.
Major General Al Khaili added: “Implementing these standards and developing them in accordance with the economical and international developments and in cooperation with the OGC and its members is everyone’s responsibility. We should work to raise awareness among students on the capacities and horizons of geographical services and information sector.”
Mark Reichardt, President and Chief Executive Officer of OGC, delivered a speech in which he extended gratitude to the Ministry of Interior and the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ for organizing the conference. He highlighted the OGC’s international focus and its effect on the economies of countries, saying that it helped to save many lives. He also pointed out that the OGC includes government, private, and academic institutions, and that world government plays a significant role in the consortium. “Currently, we have eight member countries from the MENA region and we hope to see more members from this region in the near future,” he said.
Reichardt reviewed the standards of the OGC services, which are universally available. He called on attendees to support the communications network among institutions in this field. Concluding his speech, he stressed on the importance of the conference in supporting the consortium’s efforts.
Then, Major Mohammed Saleh Al Mansouri, Director of GIS Security Center, delivered a short presentation on the center’s role to support public security and the safety system in the UAE. He also highlighted the development of the center, as it started in 2004 as a branch, and then developed into a center in 2009. “The police commandment is extending unlimited support to the center, as well as delivering continuous