Abu Dhabi launches its own internet domain name
Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the launch of its own internet domain. "We are very pleased with our adoption of the .abudhabi domain, which highlights the fact that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is proceeding with confidence and speed in the process of digital transformation, based on the ambitious vision of our wise leadership to build and shape the digital future of the emirate in a way that supports innovation, the implementation of digital solutions and effective initiatives that strengthen the economic environment in the capital," said Mohamed Abdelhameed Al Askar, director general of the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority.
The domain name is available to individuals and businesses located in the UAE. Al Askar urged all companies in the capital to register and reserve their names on the website. "This initiative contributes to raising the status of the UAE Global Innovation Index and promotes Abu Dhabi in the tourism, cultural and economic spheres through this distinctive domain name, an attractive factor for companies interested in business opportunities and local and international events organised annually by Abu Dhabi," he added.
Information on how to reserve and register a domain name can be found at www.nic.abudhabi.
This Emirati project is aimed at tourism, culture and commerce, as well as fostering the digital transformation process and promoting Abu Dhabi globally. However, the Emirati capital has been developing its digital sector for some time. In March 2020, at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the Higher Committee of Digital Government was formed to devise an appropriate online strategy for the emirate. Educational institutions successfully moved to e-learning, just as many government services started to work online due to restrictive measures against COVID-19. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, noted that all steps would ensure "the capital's reputation as a leading regional and international centre for digital development".
Aiming to incorporate technology into daily tasks, Abu Dhabi has also strengthened its cooperation with Chinese telecommunications company Huawei. "We are guided in digital transformation by the UAE leadership's vision to enhance the service of our society through technology, following the latest solutions in impeccable customer service," explained Ahmed Al Hammadi, director of the technical planning department.
Last August, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) launched 'Amwali', the world's first Islamic digital bank open to anyone from the age of eight. One of the objectives of this project is to encourage smart savings among the younger generation. "Digital banking becomes a useful tool to help parents track and explain good and bad spending patterns to their children in an easy way," said Karishma Nandkeolyar, editor of Gulf News.
The rest of the country also shows favourable technological and digital development. The Arab country recently engaged with the United Nations to devise new methods and tools to improve modern technologies for the maintenance of international peace and security. "As the world makes immense technological progress, we must determine how best to harness these innovations to address the conflicts and challenges of our time," said the UAE spokesperson.