Hamdan bin Mohammed Approves Strategic Initiatives and Projects to Enhance Development

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs in Dubai, today approved a package of strategic initiatives and projects aimed at enhancing citizens' quality of life and developing an integrated system of social and development programmes that support the stability of Emirati families, in line with the directions of the "Dubai Social Agenda 33", which seeks to cement Dubai's position among the world's top three cities for standard of living.

This came as His Highness chaired the first 2026 meeting of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs in Dubai, during which the Committee's key achievements over the past period were reviewed, future work tracks were discussed, and a number of qualitative initiatives and projects were approved.

The initiatives and projects approved by His Highness included the launch of the second phase of the "Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme", which aims to support the formation and growth of Emirati families in Dubai; the third phase of the Community Majalis project, which seeks to deepen community bonds among residents of residential neighbourhoods; the "Vibrant Dubai" initiative, aimed at improving the health and fitness levels of Dubai Government employees; and the "Barzat Dubai" project, which provides community spaces for residents of neighbourhoods to meet and interact.

His Highness affirmed that improving the quality of life of citizens and Emirati families is a strategic priority in Dubai's development journey, considering the family as the nucleus from which the prosperity of society and the sustainability of its progress stem, noting that investing in the family's stability and empowerment is an investment with a lasting impact on the future of the emirate and its coming generations, and in consolidating the system of values on which Dubai's community is built.

His Highness said: "Today, during the meeting of the Higher Committee, we launched a package of strategic initiatives and projects, including the launch of the second phase of the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme, continuing an integrated series of initiatives aimed at empowering the Emirati family and strengthening its stability, stemming from 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), which affirms that Dubai's strength begins with the strength of its family, and that empowering the family is the foundation for preparing generations capable of continuing the march of achievement and consolidating Dubai's global standing."

His Highness added: "We have also approved the launch of the Dubai Family-Friendly Strategy, aimed at developing an integrated system that supports the family at its various stages, in a way that enhances its stability and improves its quality of life. We have also approved the launch of the Vibrant Dubai initiative to promote the health and fitness of Dubai Government employees, and the expansion of the Community Majalis project to deepen communication and cohesion among residents of neighbourhoods."

His Highness stressed that the goal is for Dubai to be the best city in the world for family life, and to provide its people with an integrated social environment that supports family stability and enhances quality of life. He said: "We will continue working to launch innovative initiatives and legislation that enhance the standing of the Emirati family and enable it to play its pivotal role in raising generations who are confident in their identity, capable of continuing the development journey laid down by our leadership, and consolidating Dubai's model as a global city in which the human being remains the focus and purpose of development."

During the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was briefed on the key achievements of the first phase of the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme, and the results achieved by the programme in supporting the stability of the Emirati family and developing the system of services and initiatives directed towards it in the Emirate of Dubai.

His Highness was also briefed on the targets of the programme's second phase, which includes a series of strategic initiatives and projects to be worked on during the coming period.

Since its launch, the programme has achieved tangible results reflecting the success of this approach: the Dubai Weddings Programme has organised 1,077 weddings to date, recording growth of 44% between 2024 and 2025, in addition to the programme's contribution to organising 43.5% of the total weddings of citizens in Dubai — reflecting the success of the vision laid down by Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife 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), from which the programme was launched to serve as an integrated platform supporting the building of a strong and cohesive Emirati family.

The second phase includes the launch of the "Dubai Family-Friendly Strategy", alongside the announcement of the formation of the Sheikha Hind Family Programme Committee as a subcommittee of the Higher Committee for Citizens Affairs in Dubai, which will help strengthen coordination among the entities concerned and integrate government efforts supporting the family.

The Community Development Authority chairs the committee, with the participation of a number of concerned government entities from the health, housing, education, infrastructure, land, and community resilience sectors. It will oversee the implementation of a set of initiatives and projects aimed at raising the efficiency of services provided to citizens and consolidating a more integrated and sustainable social system.

The Dubai Family-Friendly Strategy is built on a set of integrated pillars aimed at developing a support system for the family at its various stages, including raising awareness and encouraging marriage, promoting health and supporting childbirth, embedding flexibility in the work environment, developing education benefits, and providing housing facilities, in addition to offering various forms of financial support — enhancing the quality of family life and creating an integrated social environment that contributes to family stability and growth.

The meeting also saw the approval of the "Vibrant Dubai" initiative, a health and fitness initiative targeting Dubai Government employees, aimed at improving quality of life and well-being in the government work environment, and building a healthy, active workforce that is physically and mentally fit, supporting the productivity of government cadres and reinforcing a positive and sustainable work environment.

The initiative aligns with the targets of the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, through adopting programmes and practices that promote public health, prevention, and the physical and psychological readiness of employees.

The initiative is built on three main pillars: medical examinations aimed at early detection and promoting prevention; physical examinations to measure fitness levels and work performance; in addition to a psychological readiness pillar focused on encouraging mental balance and reducing stress — contributing to enhancing employees' health, raising their level of well-being, and achieving a more balanced and productive work environment.

The meeting also reviewed the second phase of the Community Majalis project, a joint project between Dubai Municipality and the Community Development Authority, which includes establishing community majalis in five residential areas: Al Awir, Al Warqa, Nad Al Sheba, Al Barsha South, and Hatta. Four majalis have been opened as part of this phase in the areas of Nad Al Sheba, Al Awir, Al Warqa, and Al Barsha South, with the phase due to be fully completed during the second quarter of this year.

The launch of the project's third phase was also approved, which includes establishing five new community majalis in the areas of Nad Al Hamar, Jumeirah, Ghadeer Al Tair, Al Twar, and Lahbab, at a total cost of AED 160 million. Implementation is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026 and be completed in the third quarter of 2027, as part of efforts to strengthen community cohesion and provide interactive spaces that support communication among members of the community.

As part of efforts to improve the quality of life of senior citizens and retirees, and to reinforce community bonds and promote healthy lifestyles, His Highness approved the opening of the second branch of Thukher Club at Quranic Park in the Al Khawaneej area, building on the success achieved by the first branch at Al Safa Park, which grew from a community initiative into an integrated platform with a tangible impact on quality of life, having attracted hundreds of members and delivered hundreds of health and social programmes, with high satisfaction levels recorded for the programmes offered — reflecting the effectiveness of the club's operating model and its ability to meet the needs of retirees.

The expansion into the Al Khawaneej area builds on this success, with the aim of broadening the club's community impact and strengthening its role as a platform supporting preventive health, social interaction, and continuous learning, alongside supporting the transfer of experience between generations and reinforcing community cohesion.

The project contributes to reinforcing Dubai's direction towards investing in quality of life, and reducing long-term health costs through promoting healthy lifestyles, in line with the targets of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, and reinforces Dubai's position as a global model in building healthy and sustainable communities.

His Highness also approved the "Barzat Dubai" project, which represents a new model of neighbourhood majalis within residential communities for everyday use, aiming to strengthen social cohesion and communication among residents of the same neighbourhood by providing community spaces for residents to meet and interact.

The first phase includes the implementation of the "Barza of Nuzha area" within the neighbourhood park in the area, serving all families, in addition to the "Barza of Al Khawaneej Residential Complex" and the neighbourhood mosque, serving more than 1,000 families in the area.

The Community Development Authority and Dubai Municipality have been tasked with proceeding with the implementation of the "Barzat Dubai" initiative in coordination with the concerned entities, alongside studying the expansion of the initiative's application across the emirate's various areas according to the needs of residents of residential neighbourhoods.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Deputy Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs and Director-General of the Office of His Highness the Crown Prince of Dubai; H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai; H.E. Lieutenant General Talal Butti Al Falasi, Head of Dubai State Security; H.E. Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police; H.E. Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai; H.E. Eng. Marwan bin Ghalita, Director-General of the Dubai Land Department; H.E. Abdulla bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department; H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of the Dubai Digital Authority; and H.E. Ali Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation in Dubai.

The Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs aims to provide all forms of support to citizens across their various categories and age groups, through a defined work strategy built on a set of pillars concerned with all matters relating to citizens and ensuring the achievement of the targets set by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The Committee follows up on the services file with the entities concerned to ensure the provision of advanced and integrated services to citizens, in addition to launching and approving a comprehensive set of initiatives in cooperation with the private, public, and semi-government sectors, and following up on their implementation.

Source: Emirates News Agency – WAM