Dubai is ready to strengthen its position as one of the world’s premier Creative Cities, with the release of a new report outlining the city’s activities and achievements over the last four years, as well as a four-year strategy to improve its creative design offerings. The report is part of the process of renewing Dubai’s UNESCO Creative Cities Network membership.
In 2017, Dubai became the first Arab city to join the UNESCO Creative Places Network in the design field, becoming one of 246 cities to do so. Every four years, cities in the Network are obliged to submit a report detailing the activities and projects that have been completed as well as the city’s future intentions.
Dubai has worked hard as a member of the Network to strengthen its policies and contributions as a leading Creative City for design, as well as contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Dubai has introduced a number of initiatives and accomplishments in the creative design field to attract the world’s best talent and create a smart and sustainable infrastructure that provides services for various segments of society, in addition to hosting international design exhibitions and conferences and adopting global best practices in the sector.
Dubai formed the Dubai Municipality-led Executive Committee for the emirate’s membership in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for this aim. Members of the Committee came from the Ministry of Youth and Culture, the Executive Council’s General Secretariat, the Roads and Transport Authority, Brand Dubai, the Government of Dubai Media Office’s creative arm, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Design District, Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, Dubai Development Authority, and the Community Development Authority. The Committee has played a critical role in promoting Dubai as an iconic design metropolis and expanding its creative and design boundaries. The Executive Committee drafted a report to extend Dubai’s membership in the Creative Cities Network.