Guided by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai advanced several strategic initiatives aimed at long-term, innovation-led growth. Measures introduced during the year focused on strengthening collaboration across government, academia and the private sector while enhancing the city’s attractiveness for global business events, congresses and exhibitions.

Innovation, AI and events shape Dubai’s future agenda

Progress in 2025 included the expansion of Dubai’s research and development ecosystem, positioning the emirate as a testbed for applied research and advanced technologies. At the national level, the United Arab Emirates recorded a high rate of artificial intelligence adoption across government entities and continued growth in its digital talent base. In parallel, Dubai approved a citywide one-time contactless hotel check-in system to support a seamless visitor experience. Expo City Dubai also closed a busy year, hosting more than 75 international events and preparing for an expanded calendar in 2026, further underlining Dubai’s role in the global meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector.