The Avicenna Center for E-Learning at the University of Baghdad held a workshop titled “The Role of E-Services in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals” on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, presented by Agricultural Engineer Ayat Mahmoud Ibrahim.
The workshop was conducted both in person at the center’s hall and virtually via Zoom.
The session aimed to clarify the concept and benefits of e-services, highlighting their role in facilitating access to services, saving time and effort, and reducing administrative and operational costs. E-services also contribute to improving productivity and efficiency, and fostering better coordination and collaboration between government and private sector employees.
The presenter then discussed the history of sustainable development, noting that in 2000, the United Nations launched the Millennium Development Goals, endorsed by 189 countries, including Arab nations, with the aim of improving living conditions for communities. The concept of sustainable development, she explained, focuses on using clean technologies that consume fewer resources, reduce harmful emissions, and promote environmental sustainability. However, limited income remains a major barrier to internet access, with around two billion people unable to use it due to financial constraints. Nevertheless, advances in technology and rising global incomes are expected to increase global internet penetration in the coming years.
In conclusion, the presenter emphasized that agriculture is undergoing a technological shift, moving away from traditional methods toward modern, flexible approaches that are less dependent on location and time. These advanced techniques enable smart agricultural management, improving both the quality and quantity of production while minimizing the wastage of natural resources. By leveraging artificial intelligence, smart farming is addressing challenges like drought, wind, and humidity, reducing environmental damage, and increasing productivity. This includes efficient soil management and the reduction of chemical inputs such as fertilizers.
