Dubai Executive Office Achieves 25-Year Milestone Under Sheikh Mohammed
Sheik Mohammed marks 25 years since The Executive Office began shaping Dubai’s path toward global leadership. This milestone represents a game-changing period for the emirate. The Office has turned Dubai’s development plans into reality and now serves as a powerhouse of innovative and strategic thinking.
The Executive Office has propelled many groundbreaking initiatives that have altered Dubai’s map over the last 25 years. The Dubai International Financial Center, now 20 years old, has broken records with 6,920 active companies and more than 46,000 employees. It manages assets worth over $700 billion. The Dubai Council, launched in 2020, has kicked off 25 major projects to raise Dubai’s global standing.
The results reach way beyond economic gains. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives invested AED2.2 billion in 2024. These investments helped 149 million people in 118 countries. Smart Dubai has made the city a pioneer in digital transformation. The city ranks first in the Arab world and Asia, and fourth worldwide in the IMD’s 2025 Smart City Index.
Sheik Mohammed celebrates 25 years of visionary leadership
His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum celebrated a historic milestone at a ceremony marking The Executive Office’s 25 years of excellence. The celebration showcased this unique institution’s evolution into the life-blood of Dubai’s governance framework and development strategy.
How The Executive Office was established in 1999
Sheik Mohammed created The Executive Office through an official decree in 1999. This wasn’t just another government department – it was a groundbreaking institution. The Office became a laboratory for bold ideas and unconventional solutions rather than a typical bureaucratic entity. This distinctive approach built the foundation that would take Dubai to unprecedented global prominence and competitiveness. Sheik Mohammed’s forward-thinking vision of governance shaped the establishment. His approach emphasized careful planning, deep analysis, and strategic foresight in economic, social, cultural, and developmental sectors.
Sheik Mohammed’s message of gratitude and future focus
Sheik Mohammed personally thanked The Executive Office team during the 25th anniversary celebration. “For 25 years, The Executive Office has inspired teamwork and effectively implemented our development vision,” he stated. He added that the Office has been “a source of exceptional ideas, an accelerator of change, and a launchpad for future-focused projects”.
His Highness highlighted how these achievements motivate further progress: “Twenty-five years of achievement fuels our drive for further transformation and advancement”. He urged the team to increase their efforts to speed up the next growth phase in key sectors. This push aims to maintain Dubai’s momentum toward global leadership.
The role of the Executive Office in shaping national strategy
The Executive Office acts as Sheik Mohammed’s direct executive arm and plays a crucial role in shaping Dubai’s future. The Office operates as a specialized think tank that conducts complete analytical studies in sectors of all sizes to guide strategic decisions. The team develops long-term strategies with scenario planning to prepare for future challenges and global trends.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of The Executive Office, reflected on their 25-year journey. He noted they have “translated the leadership’s directives into action that places innovation and creativity at the core of government work”. This approach has helped Dubai become the most agile city in decision-making and the most adaptable to change.
The Executive Office launches transformative projects
“The Executive Office is a source of exceptional ideas, an accelerator of change, and a launchpad for future-focused projects and initiatives that have laid a foundation for continued economic and social progress.” — Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
The Executive Office has led several groundbreaking projects that changed Dubai’s economic map and global position in the last two decades.
Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) reshapes finance
The DIFC, 20 years old, has become a key milestone in Dubai’s economic development. The center now has 6,920 active companies. A total of 1,823 new firms joined in 2023, which shows a 25% increase. The workforce has grown to over 46,000 employees. The assets under management are more than AED 2570.36 billion. Family businesses at DIFC manage AED 4.41 trillion in assets. This makes it the leading financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region.
Smart Dubai and Digital Authority lead digital innovation
Smart Dubai started in 2013 and became the Dubai Digital Authority in 2021. This change focused on more than just digital government services. It aimed to change life in Dubai completely. Dubai’s efforts paid off. The city ranks first in the Arab world and Asia, and fourth globally in the IMD’s 2025 Smart City Index. This shows Dubai’s dedication to digital progress.
Dubai Future Foundation pioneers future-readiness
The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), founded in 2016, works on five key areas: future foresight, knowledge sharing, capacity building, future design, and future experience. The Museum of the Future stands as its biggest achievement. More than 3 million people have visited it, including 40 heads of state. The DFF also created the Dubai Future District Fund. The fund’s investments added AED 3 billion to Dubai’s GDP.
Hatta Development Plan boosts regional tourism
The Hatta Development Plan started in 2016 and has more than 40 projects that changed the region. Tourist numbers have reached 1.5 million yearly visitors. This led to better infrastructure and green tourism projects. The plan has a new Hatta Beach that covers 53,000 square meters with a 10,000-square-meter artificial lake. It also features hotels, homes, and the Hatta Souq with 70 commercial units.
Strategic governance accelerates Dubai’s global rise
Dubai has become a global hub thanks to its well-planned governance structures. These frameworks turn visionary leadership into real results and place the emirate at the vanguard of international development.
The Executive Council enhances government efficiency
The Executive Council serves as Dubai’s main decision-making body under Sheik Mohammed’s directives. It oversees policy development and implementation across government entities. Specialized sectoral committees help streamline operations and speed up project delivery. Dubai maintains exceptional agility in responding to global challenges and opportunities through this structure. The city ranks among the world’s best-governed cities as a result.
Dubai Council oversees 25 transformative initiatives
The Dubai Council, a 2020-old high-level body chaired by Sheik Mohammed, marks the most important development in governance structure. It manages 25 major transformative projects to improve Dubai’s global competitiveness. Six strategic pathways guide the Council’s work: economy, citizens’ services, government development, infrastructure, security and justice, and health and knowledge. The Council helps Dubai maintain its development momentum despite global economic changes.
Dubai Holding expands economic footprint globally
Dubai Holding has grown into a powerful economic force that manages diverse assets worth over AED 130 billion. The organization runs operations in 13 countries through three main business verticals: Asset Management, Entertainment, and Investments. Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and Jumeirah Group stand out as flagship developments. These projects employ over 20,000 professionals and contribute to Dubai’s GDP. Dubai Holding’s global investment strategy has helped Dubai-based enterprises succeed internationally. Strong economic partnerships have increased the emirate’s influence in global markets.
Strategic institutional frameworks have powered Dubai’s rise as a global leader. The city excels in urban development, economic breakthroughs, and future-focused governance through its layered governance structure.
Humanitarian and leadership initiatives drive social impact
Image Source: LinkedIn
“Today, we witness the results of the integrated government work ecosystem overseen by The Executive Office, culminating in Dubai’s prominent global standing.” — Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
The Executive Office has created powerful humanitarian platforms and leadership incubators that affect social change worldwide, beyond its work in economic development and governance.
MBRGI impacts 149 million people across 118 countries
Sheik Mohammed launched the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in 2015. It now stands as the region’s largest humanitarian and development organization. MBRGI invested AED 2.2 billion in relief, health, education, and community development programs in 2024. This investment changed the lives of 149 million people in 118 countries. The organization’s 30 initiatives and foundations work to curb poverty and disease, spread knowledge and culture, strengthen communities, and welcome innovation. Education remains a key priority, with MBRGI investing AED 599 million in educational initiatives during 2024. These programs helped more than 100 million people worldwide.
Leadership development programs graduate future ministers
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development (MBRCLD) shows The Executive Office’s dedication to developing future leaders. This 21-year-old center has produced over 1,000 leaders since its inception. Its alumni include 9 ministers, 10 deputy ministers, 15 director generals, and 99 executive directors. The Center celebrated its 20th anniversary with more than 850 Emirati leaders from various sectors completing its programs. The Future Government Leaders Program builds on this success by preparing young Arab government leaders. It gives them the future-readiness skills they need to lead tomorrow’s governments.
Knowledge economy and innovation as pillars of progress
The Executive Office champions initiatives that support detailed development, better quality of life, knowledge economy growth, and innovation. MBRGI dedicated AED 278 million to future innovation and entrepreneurship in 2024, helping over 1.3 million people. The Museum of the Future stands out as a major achievement, drawing more than 3 million visitors from 177 countries since opening its doors. The Global Food Innovation Summit, hosted with the World Economic Forum, has brought attention to innovative food systems and drawn global investment in agriculture and food technologies.
A Quarter-Century of Transformative Excellence
The Executive Office’s profound effect on Dubai’s rise as a global leader shows in its 25-year history. Sheik Mohammed’s visionary institution started as a strategic think tank. Now it drives change across economic, social, and governance sectors.
Results prove the Executive Office works. DIFC has become a financial powerhouse. Smart Dubai ranks fourth globally. Dubai Future Foundation leads state-of-the-art initiatives. These wins show how good governance turns bold vision into reality. The MBRGI reaches 149 million lives in 118 countries, proving Dubai’s dedication to global citizenship goes beyond economic success.
Sheik Mohammed’s leadership created strong institutional frameworks that make these wins possible. The Executive Council, Dubai Council, and Dubai Holding work together as pillars. They keep progress steady even when global markets shake. Dubai’s success comes from more than ambitious projects. It stems from a sophisticated governance system built for continuous advancement.
Sheik Mohammed’s anniversary message showed pride in achievements and laser focus on future goals. He pushed the team to speed up growth initiatives. This 25-year mark launches new beginnings rather than ends a chapter. Dubai always looks ahead instead of dwelling on past successes.
The Executive Office’s quarter-century story goes beyond administrative excellence. It shows how government institutions can reshape the scene completely. From building financial hubs to developing future leaders, its complete approach has set new standards for cities worldwide. Without doubt, this mix of state-of-the-art thinking, strategic planning, and solid execution will keep Dubai shining as a global beacon of possibility for decades.
