Singapore is the second city in the world, and the first in the Asia Pacific, to complete the exercise
SINGAPORE, 30 November 2017 – Singapore has completed an International pilot project to help the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) develop a Global Smart Sustainable Cities Index. Singapore is the second city in the world, and the first in the Asia Pacific, to complete the exercise.
The pilot project is a collaboration between Singapore and the ITU which started in October 2015. Nine other cities around the world also participated in this two-year project. The results of the collaboration will contribute to the development of ITU’s Global Smart Sustainable Cities Index which measures the progress in implementing smart city strategies.
Spearheaded by Infocomm Media Development Authority, a total of 23 Singapore ministries and agencies1 were involved in the project.
The findings of the Singapore pilot have been compiled into a case study, “Implementing ITU-T International Standards to Shape Smart Sustainability Cities: The Case of Singapore”, that documents the country’s experience in implementing the set of indicators developed by the ITU as well as its journey towards achieving its Smart Nation vision.
The ITU, in its case study, highlighted Singapore’s effective national policies in fostering ICT adoption. It further concluded that Singapore has made significant progress in areas such as ICT Infrastructure, Productivity, and Equity and Social Inclusion. Initiatives such as MyInfo and SME Go Digital, the case study noted, have increased the quality, reach and use of ICT across the city, illustrating the leadership displayed by Singapore in implementing ICT and highlight how these can form the backbone of a Smart Sustainable City.
The case study was unveiled at the sidelines of the 17th ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting (TELMIN) held on 30 November 2017 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, is Singapore’s representative in attendance at TELMIN.
Commenting on the new ITU Singapore case study, Dr Yaacob said: ““This collaboration with ITU has given us an objective assessment of our journey towards transforming Singapore into a Smart Nation. We are heartened that ITU has rated many of our efforts favourably, and we will continue to do more to foster a stronger digital society and economy. We hope that the Singapore experience will also benefit other countries and help accelerate their efforts to harness technology for greater societal and economic benefit.”
“Singapore is a leading example of a country with strong institutional support for smart city innovation,” said ITU Secretary-General Zhao Houlin. “Singapore’s ability to act as a testbed for smart city innovation, and its will to share the results, continues to make a key contribution to international efforts to promote the transition to smart sustainable cities.”
The report is available online and can be downloaded free of charge here.
1The agencies and ministries are A*STAR, ACRA, BCA, DOS, EMA, GovTech, IMDA, IPOS, LTA, MCI, MCCY, MOE, MOH, MHA, MOM, MSF, MOHH, NEA, NParks, PA, PUB, Sport SG, SPRING Singapore
About Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation with infocomm media. To do this, IMDA will develop a dynamic digital economy and a cohesive digital society, driven by an exceptional infocomm media (ICM) ecosystem – by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore's ICM infrastructure. IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment, and enhances Singapore’s data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission.
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For media clarifications, please contact:
LOW Angie (Ms)
Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing Division, IMDA
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Email: angie_low@imda.gov.sg
CHUA Hian Hou (Mr)
Deputy Director, Communications and Marketing Division, IMDA
DID: (65) 6202 4956
Email: chua_hian_hou@imda.gov.sg
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