Dubai is accelerating its future-readiness agenda with the approval of three new government innovation projects under the Dubai 10X Initiative, a programme designed to position the emirate a decade ahead of global cities. Backed by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the initiatives target urban mobility, healthcare, and travel, sectors that are central to quality of life and economic competitiveness.

Unveiled as part of the initiative’s third phase, the projects aim to transform public service delivery by accelerating cross-government collaboration, innovation, and execution across key sectors.

The newly approved initiatives include the 20 Minute City, led by the Roads and Transport Authority; the Disease Early Detection System, led by the Dubai Health Authority; and the City Terminal Project, led by Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects.

Sheikh Hamdan said the Dubai 10X Initiative has delivered an exponential leap in government performance by embedding a culture of innovation and collaboration across government entities and by moving beyond traditional public-sector models. “Accelerating government performance is central to our future vision. We will continue to empower government entities to pioneer bold, high-impact projects that redefine excellence in public service,” he said.

He praised the teams participating in the initiative’s third phase for their commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and belief in government innovation as a driver of Dubai’s long-term vision. “The Government of Dubai is among the world’s most future-ready governments. We have set high standards of excellence in government work, and we will continue our journey of progress without pause,” he added.

The projects were launched in the presence of senior officials, including Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Omar Sultan Al Olama, and Khalfan Belhoul.

The three initiatives were selected from 79 proposals submitted by more than 120 employees across 33 Dubai government entities, with some involving collaboration among up to 11 organisations. Submissions were assessed based on potential impact, speed of implementation, cross-government integration, and improvements to quality of life.

The 20 Minute City project aims to ensure that residents can access 80 percent of essential services within 20 minutes on foot, by bike, or by sustainable transport. Launched in partnership with Dubai Municipality and Dubai Police, the pilot, currently underway in Al Barsha 2, focuses on road safety, shaded green spaces, and flexible mobility corridors.

The Disease Early Detection System introduces a proactive, predictive healthcare model that enables early diagnosis, improves patient outcomes, and reduces long-term treatment costs. Its pilot phase focuses on diabetes, which is estimated to cost Dubai AED 2.78 billion ($756 million) annually, and spans multiple hospitals and health centres across the emirate.

The City Terminal Project seeks to enhance travel efficiency by allowing passengers to complete check-in procedures at locations across Dubai before being transported directly to airport departure halls via secure vehicles. The initiative aims to ease congestion, streamline operations, and improve passenger experience through multi-agency collaboration.

Launched in 2017 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai 10X Initiative continues to serve as a platform for pioneering high-impact government models that reinforce Dubai’s global leadership in innovation and future-ready governance.