Dubai Municipality leads global urban governance dialogue at APCS 2025 with launch of the Dubai Declaration on the Future of Urban Governance

Dubai Municipality has cemented its leadership in shaping global urban futures through the launch of the Dubai Declaration on the Future of Urban Governance, a major global accord unveiled at the 15th Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS), hosted at Expo City Dubai. Developed under the Mayors’ Accord initiative of Brisbane City Council, Secretariat of the APCS, and led by Dubai Municipality, the Declaration sets a unified framework for international cooperation on inclusive, sustainable, and urban governance driven by innovation and digital transformation, with a focus on placing people at the center of all key projects and initiatives.

A global framework for future-ready cities

The Dubai Declaration identifies four global focus areas where municipalities can deliver outsized impact, all of which align with Dubai Municipality’s strategic vision and ongoing initiatives: digital transformation, urban leadership futures and economic governance, quality of life, and environmental solutions. All these pillars align with Dubai Municipality’s strategic vision and ongoing initiatives to manage and advance municipal operations in the emirate, positioning Dubai as a leading city in sustainability and quality of life within an integrated urban system that places people at its core, meets their needs, and enhances the city’s resilience and readiness to adapt to future challenges.

His Excellency Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, highlighted the city’s leading role in shaping the global urban agenda: “Dubai continues to serve as a model of foresight-driven governance, shaping cities where sustainability, technology, and human well-being converge. The Dubai Declaration provides a practical blueprint for city leaders worldwide to exchange experiences, test solutions, and scale what works, ensuring that cities are not only future-ready but future-shaping.”

He added: “At Dubai Municipality, we remain committed to strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for municipal excellence and urban development. This commitment extends to fostering international cooperation aimed at improving urban life worldwide, making Dubai a model future city that upholds the highest urban standards and delivers exceptional quality of life and living.”

Digital transformation and urban futures

Dubai Municipality is embedding digital twin technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced data analytics into its operations to create smarter, more transparent services. From licensing and inspections to mobility and planning, these systems ensure services are efficient, inclusive, and future-ready.

City leadership and economic governance

Through its regulatory and planning frameworks, Dubai Municipality fosters an urban environment that balances growth with liveability. The signing of the accord highlights Dubai’s role in advancing resilient economies, attracting sustainable investment, and promoting an urban identity that values heritage while embracing innovation.

Quality of life

Public spaces, parks, housing, and food safety systems remain central to Dubai Municipality’s mission to improve community well-being. The declaration reinforces the Municipality’s pledge to ensure safe, inclusive, and vibrant environments that promote social cohesion and make Dubai the best city in the world to live, work, and visit.

Environmental solutions and urban regeneration

Dubai Municipality continues to spearhead decarbonisation efforts, circular economy practices, and large-scale regeneration projects such as the Strategic Sewerage Tunnels and the Integrated Waste Management Centre. By aligning with the declaration, the Municipality demonstrates its commitment to tackling climate change, safeguarding ecosystems, and building agile, climate-resilient infrastructure.

Dubai Municipality at APCS 2025

In tandem with the Declaration, Dubai Municipality launched its inaugural global foresight publication, The Proactive Municipality: Shaping the Future through Foresight-Driven Signals. The report introduces the Proactive Municipality Guide — a practical, signal-based model designed to help cities anticipate emerging challenges, pilot transformative ideas, and scale citizen-centric solutions that are adaptive, data-driven, and future-fit.

Dubai’s global leadership

Dubai Municipality’s leadership in drafting and launching the Dubai Declaration underscores the emirate’s role as a trusted convener of international dialogue on urban futures. The accord supports key pillars of the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040, the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), and contributes to the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). By showcasing replicable governance models, engaging global stakeholders, and shaping forward-looking municipal systems, Dubai has reinforced its status as a benchmark for innovation, inclusion, and resilience in city governance.

A shared pledge for the future

Through the Dubai Declaration, participating cities have pledged to develop or expand measurable initiatives aligned with the accord’s four pillars, ensuring that the momentum generated in Dubai translates into tangible, positive outcomes for urban communities across the world.