Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has earned a Certificate of Excellence at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2025 for its AI-powered innovation, Balady Lens.
Selected from a competitive pool of hundreds of global entries, Balady Lens stood out as one of the top 360 initiatives from a total of 973 projects submitted worldwide. The innovation earned this prestigious recognition in the E-government category, showcasing its significant impact on digital transformation within municipal governance.
This award was presented during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2025, a key global event hosted annually in Geneva, Switzerland. It is one among the most prestigious honors overseen by the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU), recognizing impactful digital innovations that advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Balady Lens leverages artificial intelligence to detect and monitor visual distortions in urban areas by capturing and analyzing real-time field images. This data enables local authorities to make rapid decisions for on-the-ground improvements, directly enhancing the urban landscape and overall quality of life. This achievement also reflects the Kingdom’s qualitative progress in adopting cutting-edge technologies within government services.
The award highlights Saudi Arabia’s increasing global presence in digital innovation and its commitment to digital transformation, aligning with the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing continues to develop smart solutions that contribute to sustainable urban development and efficient service delivery.
The recognition at WSIS 2025 underscores the ministry’s efforts to promote national innovation, forge international technology partnerships, and position Saudi Arabia as a leader in e-government transformation on the global stage.
