By Staff Reporter
Dubai has been awarded the prestigious Gold Certification by the UN-Habitat SDG Cities Programme, marking a major milestone in its global leadership in sustainable urban development.
The announcement came during the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum 2025, hosted at Expo Dubai.
The recognition highlights Dubai’s success in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through data-driven governance, innovation, and collaborative city planning. The announcement coincided with the launch of Dubai’s Voluntary Local Review (VLR), the region’s first initiative of its kind, which measures the city’s progress in aligning local policies with the global sustainability agenda.
His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai, said the achievement reflects the vision of Dubai’s leadership in building a sustainable, human-centered city that anticipates needs, creates opportunities, and drives innovation for future generations.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, noted that the recognition is the result of collaboration among 13 government entities and showcases Dubai’s use of digital platforms, integrated data, and AI insights to drive sustainable outcomes.
The UN-Habitat Gold Certification is one of the organization’s highest classifications, awarded to cities demonstrating measurable progress across economic, social, and environmental pillars. Dubai now aims to become the first city in the world to achieve the Platinum Certification.
The newly launched VLR underscores Dubai’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement, offering a model for evidence-based urban governance and positioning the city as a benchmark for sustainable progress worldwide.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
