RIYADH, Tuesday, June 23, 2026 (WNP): Saudi Arabia has won the 2026 United Nations Public Service Award, the world’s highest recognition for excellence and innovation in public administration, for its National Data Bank and Estishraf platform, marking another major international achievement in the Kingdom’s drive to become a global leader in data and artificial intelligence.
The award was announced by the United Nations following a highly competitive selection process involving more than 700 initiatives submitted by 62 countries.
The United Nations Public Service Award recognizes outstanding government initiatives that demonstrate excellence in improving public services, enhancing institutional efficiency and delivering tangible benefits to citizens through innovation.
The latest recognition underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing global leadership in digital transformation, data governance and artificial intelligence and comes during the Kingdom’s Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026.
The achievement also reflects the continued support of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), in advancing the Kingdom’s national AI strategy and positioning Saudi Arabia among the world’s leading technology-driven economies.
The National Data Bank, one of SDAIA’s flagship national initiatives, has been developed to improve data quality, facilitate secure data sharing among government entities and strengthen the Kingdom’s digital economy through evidence-based decision-making and more efficient public services.
Meanwhile, the Estishraf platform employs advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence technologies to support strategic decision-making by providing predictive insights, comprehensive analyses and performance indicators that enhance government planning, preparedness and policymaking.
SDAIA is scheduled to receive the prestigious award during the official United Nations Public Service Forum on June 25 in Tbilisi, Georgia, where global leaders and public sector experts will gather to recognize excellence and innovation in government services.
