UAE Company to Oversee Astana’s Sergek Surveillance Network

Astana’s city surveillance system, Sergek, is being handed over to the UAE-based company Presight. 

The decision was officially approved today by the Maslikhat, Orda.kz reports.

On behalf of the Head of State and to further develop the project, we have attracted the international company Presight, a subsidiary of the G42 holding, to implement AI-driven solutions for managing Astana's urban infrastructure, Suleimanov said at a Maslikhat meeting. 

The updated project has considered all the system's shortcomings. A constant power supply will be provided to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the cameras.

The equipment will be connected to a fiber-optic network for stable video streaming.

The new project provides for a unified video transmission system. The current infrastructure will be transferred to the new private partner management, ensuring the system's seamless operation, the official added. 

The system will include 22,000 surveillance cameras, 732 monitoring units at intersections, 470 units along roadways, 15 traffic violation recording systems, and 35 types of video analytics.

A data processing and a unified situation center will also be established to coordinate emergency responses. 

The project is set to run until 2030 and is expected to have a wide-ranging impact. The creation of a unified situation center will enable a rapid response to potential threats, ensuring 100% video surveillance in crowded areas. Additionally, AI technology will help optimize traffic flow, enhance road safety, and improve the efficiency of city services.

As Didar Suleimanov notes, it is fully financed by the private partner's funds.

The private partner’s investment will total 53 billion tenge, with 60% of the work carried out by Kazakhstani companies. Payments to the private partner will only be made after full project completion. Suleimanov noted.

This deal, awarded through direct negotiations without competition, has raised questions about the decision to entrust 10,000 city cameras to foreign investors. 

Original Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova