Saudi Arabia has achieved another major international milestone in data and artificial intelligence after the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) won the 2026 United Nations Public Service Award for its National Data Bank and Estishraf digital platforms.
This achievement highlights the Kingdom’s accelerating digital transformation and reinforces its position as one of the world’s leading nations in leveraging data and AI to improve government services and institutional efficiency.
Global Recognition Amid Strong International Competition
Saudi Arabia’s win came after strong international competition, with this year’s award receiving more than 700 initiatives from 62 countries worldwide.
The UN Public Service Award is considered the highest international recognition for excellence and innovation in government services.
It honors public sector initiatives that deliver measurable impact in improving public services, enhancing institutional performance, and raising service quality for beneficiaries.
This award adds another major achievement to Saudi Arabia’s growing list of international successes in technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
Digital Platforms Driving Smarter Decision-Making
The National Data Bank is one of SDAIA’s most important national enablers, designed to improve data quality and strengthen data sharing across government entities.
It supports the growth of a data-driven digital economy while enhancing service efficiency, reliability, and decision-making quality.
Meanwhile, Estishraf represents an advanced national platform that uses data analytics and artificial intelligence to support decision-making and anticipate future challenges.
By providing predictive insights, analytical tools, and strategic indicators, the platform helps government entities improve readiness, planning efficiency, and policymaking capabilities.
This achievement reflects Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to building a globally competitive digital ecosystem powered by advanced technologies, in line with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.
