Dubai receives a gold certificate from the Sustainable Development Goals Cities (SDG Cities) programme.

Dubai, 28 October / WAM / The Emirate of Dubai has received a gold certificate from the Sustainable Development Goal Cities (SDG Cities) program of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), in a new achievement that reflects Dubai’s global leadership in sustainable development.
This came on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors Forum 2025 at Expo Dubai, in the presence of His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, His Excellency Abdul Rahman Al Saleh, Director-General of the Department of Finance in Dubai, His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and His Excellency Hessa Bint. Issa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority, HE Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, Director General of Digital Dubai, HE Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, HE Marwan bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, HE Dr. Alawi Al Sheikh Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, HE Dr. Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director General of Dubai Courts, and Dr. Ayman Al Hafnawi, Representative of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. In the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The announcement of this international honor came in conjunction with the launch of the first Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of Dubai’s performance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, in a step that strengthens the emirate’s position as a leading city in employing digitization and data to achieve sustainable human, environmental and economic impact.

On this occasion, His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti said that the integrated urban development model established by Dubai with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him,” and with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, is a sustainable, human-centered model, and its goal is to make Dubai the best and most beautiful city in the world, and this is derived from The model stems from the efficiency and integration of its government system, and its continuous efforts with unified goals in cooperation with various sectors to meet needs, anticipate aspirations, create opportunities, and enable ideas that enhance the well-being of society, preserve the environment, and open future horizons for future generations.”

His Excellency added that the United Nations’ honoring of Dubai within the Sustainable Development Goals Cities Program for the year 2025 is the result of continuous governmental and institutional efforts to establish a comprehensive sustainability approach, and we are committed to sharing the best practices and expertise that Dubai has developed through its advanced experiences in this field with our partners, so that Dubai remains the preferred global destination for living, working, achieving and achieving ambitions, because Dubai’s present creates Her future.

For his part, His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri expressed his pride in this achievement and said that this award constitutes a new point of pride in Dubai’s journey as a global city, and it does not concern a specific institution, but rather a tribute to all, because our achievements in the field of sustainability are the result of cooperation between 13 government agencies that worked in the spirit of one team to embody a model in transforming global ambition into a tangible local impact. It is a testament to Dubai’s governance, its proactive vision, and its commitment to sustainability. As a reality we live, not just a slogan raised.
His Excellency said that Digital Dubai is proud of its role in this path through unified digital platforms, integrated data systems, and visions driven by artificial intelligence, explaining that “every number in Dubai tells a story, and every story leads to a decision, and every decision takes into account the human dimension and elements of sustainability.” He pointed out that the gold certificate is not the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a new chapter in Dubai’s journey towards the future. He stressed that the next goal is for Dubai to become the first city in the world to obtain Platinum certification from the Sustainable Development Goals Cities programme.
He recommended that the work teams deepen partnerships with the private sector, develop innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable development, and invest in human and institutional capital, which constitutes the core of progress. He said that Dubai’s journey is always directed towards a higher goal, which is to serve humanity, enhance the quality of life, and build an economy based on knowledge and opportunities.
This coronation comes to embody Dubai’s commitment to adopting the concepts of digital sustainability, and transforming technology and data into tools to create a better future for people, based on the vision of its wise leadership that makes people the center and goal of development.
The Gold Certificate from the Sustainable Development Goal Cities (SDG Cities) program is awarded to cities that demonstrate a strategic and comprehensive commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through integrated policies and measurable results, including economic, social and environmental aspects.

This classification is considered one of the highest certifications granted by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) to cities around the world, after a rigorous evaluation process based on more than 70 indicators covering the areas of governance, innovation, quality of life, infrastructure, and sustainability.

As for the Voluntary Local Review (VLR), which Dubai launched during the summit, it is a comprehensive international report that measures progress in achieving sustainable development goals at the city level, highlights successes and challenges, and provides a role model for city governance based on data and actual impact.
This step represents the first evaluation of its kind in the region, prepared in cooperation with 13 government agencies in Dubai, to highlight Dubai’s experience in aligning local strategies with global goals for sustainable development.

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