Department of Municipal Affairs signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Korea

As step to enhance cooperation and exchange knowledge and experience in the geospatial information field, the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of the Republic of South Korea.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by H.E. Engineer Ahmed Mohamed Al Shareef the Under Secretary of the DMA and H.E. Park Sang woo Deputy Minister of the Office of Housing and Land, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Korea at a ceremony attended by the members of the Korean delegation visiting the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and a number of officials in the Municipal System.

Commenting on the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding, H.E. Engineer Ahmed Mohamed Al Shareef said that the MoU comes in line with the desire to pursue further cooperation with South Korea in the geospatial information field, and to establish a strategic framework to strengthen this cooperation. Al Shareef added that this Memorandum of Understanding comes in line with the economic growth and comprehensive development in the Emirate forward and will enhance geospatial services provided by the municipal system to the residents and strategic partners in the public and private sector, adding that the Republic of South Korea is a leading country on the world stage in the geospatial information sector.

The Memorandum of Understanding is based on the principles of mutually beneficial interest, and is aimed at enhancing the cooperative relations in the geospatial information field(GIS, Surveying, Mapping, land/property management and maritime affairs) in accordance with the laws of each of the participating countries. 

The scope of cooperation under this MOU includes the establishment of geospatial information systems and databases, in addition to development of geospatial technology for GIS, surveying and Mapping. This shall include planning, development, and management of geospatial information systems and databases such as Land Information Systems(LIS), Underground Facilities Management Systems, e-NOC systems, Smart-City related systems and Building Information Systems as well as technological cooperation of them,  and sharing of government policies, institutions, and administrative experiences concerning geospatial information land/property management and housing. This shall include establishment of long-term strategies of geospatial systems that covers legislation, implementation plan by stages, budgeting, definition of role and responsibility of organizations involved.

In addition to the above, both sides agreed on exchanging knowledge and experience in education,  training experts, researches and  technicians and staffs, in the geospatial information field. Both parties will also organize  joint seminars, exhibition and other meetings of mutual concern. 

Prior to the signature of the MoU, the Korean delegation listened during a meeting with DMA officials to a detailed presentation done by the Property and GIS Division in the Department of Municipal Affairs and offered a deep insights into two of its projects, the Geographic Information System (GIS) and the unified addressing system across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In return the Korean delegation showcased the Korean Geographic Information System, and the Land Information System in addition to the underground Facilities Management System and different services applied in the geospatial information sector.

The Korean delegation expressed his admiration for the ambitious plans undertaken by the government of Abu Dhabi and the big initiative and vital projects taking place in the Emirate, and expressed its readiness to fully participate in the developing process of these initiatives and projects.