Smart Madinah Forum 2022

The Smart Madinah Forum 2022 is an annual gathering dedicated to sharing expertise and experiences on global smart cities. It seeks to discuss the issues faced by the residents and visitors of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its first edition was launched on February 6, 2022, upon organization by Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Region Development Authority, with the participation of experts and specialists from several countries, in addition to technological companies, specialized consultancy firms, and several national entities and bodies.

The forum, hosted for the first time in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, enjoyed the wide participation of government sectors and specialized technological companies from around the world. The form sought to support the authority's plan to foster the Smart City Program's pillars, based upon six main axes, encompassing human welfare, the environment, technology, tourism, entrepreneurship, and the development of old districts in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah .

The Smart Madinah Forum 2022 sought to offer an open discussion space for specialists from around the world to share their expertise on the concept of global smart cities, introduce urban innovation tools, and examine the means for applying smart cities-related concepts. This would ultimately contribute to finding solutions for addressing the challenges faced by the cities' residents and visitors, exploring the experience of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah in transforming into a smart city while maintaining its identity and culture related to Islam. The forum also seeks to enable entrepreneurs' engagement and development of their products at the level of smart city platforms and innovation factories.

The Smart Madinah Forum 2022 featured sessions that engaged experts and specialists. It was held over two days during which several topics related to smart cities were discussed. It encompassed a session that defined the concept of smart cities, determined their duties, and identified some related challenges. Another session, entitled "Cities Innovation Factories, from Theory to Application," delved into the role of innovation within the city and explored the importance of stakeholder collaboration.

The second edition of the forum was launched on February 19, 2023. It explored the smart cities platforms and sustainability and smart cities. It also featured a workshop entitled "Sustainable Development Objectives: Engaged Community." The sessions also held the "Madinah Rhythms" exhibition, the first art exhibition of Saudi city photos with NFT twins.