20 October 2022, Alicante – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean participated in the International Congress about “Smart Villages Sostenibles del Mediterráneo 2022” held at Casa Mediterráneo, in Alicante. This initiative is coordinated by the El Olmo Foundation, a non-profit organization created to improve the living conditions of rural populations, and the Mediterranean Citizens Assembly Foundation (FACM). On this occasion, PAM was represented by Hon. Abdelouahab Yagoubi (Algeria).
The International Conference addressed the topic of the application of Smart Systems, Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), to the Rural Development Sector.
Hon. Abdelouahab Yagoubi highlighted the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the increasing attractiveness of living in rural areas. This new trend must be supported by overcoming the digital divide between urban and rural areas and by establishing a real collaboration between the public and private spheres.
PAM strongly believes that the use of new technologies and the development of smart and sustainable cities and communities are indispensable tools to support this phenomenon. As an example, new digital technologies and artificial intelligence can generate new opportunities for innovation, this in the form of participation platforms and increase the energy efficiency of urban centres and community services.
Hon. Yagoubi shared a number of positive experiences of smart villages experiences in Algeria. PAM strongly believes that this kind of initiative allows the spread of good practices within the Mediterranean and Gulf regions, with the benefit of learning from each other positive experiences.//