Oman’s Musandam leads the charge in smart city innovation at WSIS 2025

GENEVA : The project was hailed as one of the best in terms of sustainability, innovation, and real-world application by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Musandam’s cutting-edge initiative, which integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into public street lighting, stood out among hundreds of global entries at the summit, which is one of the leading platforms for digital innovation under the auspices of the United Nations. The WSIS supervisory committee described the project as a replicable model for smart cities worldwide, aligned closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

At the heart of the project is a network of smart sensors installed in lighting poles across Musandam. These devices gather data on ambient light, weather conditions, pedestrian and vehicle movement, and equipment status. The information is transmitted in real-time to a central operating system that automates lighting adjustments — switching lights on or off, or dimming them — to maximize energy efficiency.

Amna bint Mohammed Al Shehhi, Director of the Information Technology Department at Musandam’s General Directorate of Administrative and Financial Affairs explained that the system allows for immediate fault detection, reduced response times, and the generation of valuable data for infrastructure planning.

The project, she added, can reduce electricity consumption by up to 40% and significantly cut carbon emissions, supporting Oman’s broader push for green development and smart cities under Vision 2040. It also slashes maintenance costs and improves the longevity of lighting infrastructure by operating only when necessary.

Al Shehhi emphasized that the recognition at WSIS is a national achievement, putting Musandam at the forefront of tech-driven sustainability and reinforcing Oman’s commitment to digital transformation.

WSIS, managed by the ITU in collaboration with various UN bodies, annually hosts the WSIS Prizes to spotlight outstanding digital projects from around the world. The 2025 edition saw entries spanning 18 categories, including smart cities, e-governance, and environmental technology, submitted by governments, academia, private sector entities, and civil society.

Source: Oman’s Musandam leads the charge in smart city innovation at WSIS 2025 - The Arabian Stories News