UAE: Sheikh Hamdan approves major 2033 targets for Dubai's property, transport, education sectors
Real estate transactions to rise to Dh1 trillion, 65km system to link 3 areas, and more
Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, on Tuesday approved a series of new plans aimed at boosting Dubai’s leadership in several sectors over the next decade.
The plans approved by The Executive Council of Dubai include the Education Strategy 2033 and the Real Estate Strategy 2033, which aims to increase the value of Dubai’s real estate transactions to Dh1 trillion by 2033. Additionally, three plans focused on modernising Dubai’s transport infrastructure, transforming the city into a cashless city, and preserving the emirate’s heritage were also approved.
Sheikh Hamdan said that Dubai, under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, places people at the core of its development. The emirate continues its journey to becoming the world’s leading destination for living, investment, and lifelong learning, committed to upholding family values and enhancing the quality of all aspects of life.
Launched under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed, the strategies directly support the Dubai Plan 2033 and Dubai Social Agenda 33, collectively aimed at establishing the emirate as a global destination for living, learning and investment.
Lifelong learning
The Education Strategy 2033 is designed to transform the education system to ensure high-quality education for all. The strategy aims to build a system that enables Dubai to realise its aspirations, enhances capacity building, and delivers a higher standard of quality. Sheikh Hamdan: “Our strategy for a world-leading education system will foster lifelong learning and equip the next generation of national leaders, grounded in Emirati values and identity, to shape the future.
“HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has always championed the values of quality education and dedicated zones for academic, university, and knowledge institutions. Now, Dubai is designing its next decade, and we are building an education system based on the principle of lifelong learning—a system that can adapt to change and nurtures national talents. It will be a future-focused education system that involves both teachers and learners in a continuous journey of creativity and growth.”
Sheikh Hamdan added: “Today, we approved the Education Strategy 2033 under the Dubai Social Agenda 33, targeting a significant shift in our education system. Under the guidance of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Dubai has developed a unique, pioneering global model, and we are now building a more advanced education system in line with this model. This strategy is an investment in Dubai’s future, empowering the next generation with essential skills. We have directed the Knowledge and Human Development Authority [KHDA] to place students at the heart of the new system to equip them with skills to lead and shape the future.”
He continued: “We approved the Real Estate Strategy 2033 to help achieve the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, raising real estate transactions to Dh1 trillion by 2033 and doubling the sector’s contribution to economic diversification. The strategy also boosts Emirati competitiveness and promotes home ownership to enhance family stability.”
The meeting was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai; and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Deputy Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
The Education Strategy 2033 aligns with Dubai’s 2033 Plan and its social and economic agendas. It focuses on providing world-class education from early childhood through to higher education, delivered by reputed and respected teachers and academic faculty, fostering lifelong learning with active involvement from parents and the community.
The strategy aims to build a student-centric system that nurtures talent and creativity and equips students with essential life skills to prepare them for the future. It also emphasises early career guidance and aims to ensure UAE students are among the most competitive, able to secure places at top local and global universities.
The strategy will offer diverse pathways for students, including internationally accredited vocational institutions designed to build human capacities in line with national priorities. It was developed through extensive consultation with over 700 stakeholders, including educators, school principals, parents, and university leaders, across more than 50 sessions involving 290 institutions.
Real estate portfolios
By increasing real estate transactions by 70 per cent and multiplying the value of Dubai’s real estate portfolios by 20 times to Dh20 billion, the Real Estate Strategy 2033 aims to contribute Dh73 billion to the emirate’s GDP. The strategy represents a key pillar in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and will help elevate Dubai’s investment attractiveness, positioning the city as a highly diverse global economic hub.
The strategy will involve rolling out a series of programmes over the next decade to raise the quality of developments, enhance transparency, leverage data for better market forecasting, integrate AI within the sector, centralise data and offer high-grade assets. The aim is to attract investment as well as improve the buying and selling experience. In addition, the strategy prioritises sustainability and the development of balanced, cohesive communities, aiming to raise homeownership rates to 33 per cent.
Cashless strategy
The Dubai Cashless Strategy aims to position Dubai as one of the top five cashless cities globally by 2033. The strategy will increase digital transactions across all sectors, contributing Dh8 billion to the economy and ensuring that 100 per cent of businesses in Dubai accept digital payments.
Suspended transport systems
The Suspended Transport Systems Project is an essential part of Dubai’s Smart Mobility Strategy. By 2030, Dubai aims to automate 25 per cent of all trips through the implementation of a newly approved 65km system connecting Umm Suqeim Street, Al Khor and Zabeel. The new system will help increase the share of public transport journeys in Dubai to 26 per cent of all trips by 2030. In addition, it will be integrated with other modes of transportation to help people move around the emirate efficiently and sustainably.
Dubai National Archives
The Dubai National Archives Project, overseen by the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, aims to preserve the history and heritage of Dubai according to the highest global standards, documenting and archiving the emirate’s government records, achievements, history, and cultural heritage, ensuring that Dubai’s story is passed down to future generations. By documenting success stories designed to position Dubai as one of the world’s top economic cities by 2033, the project directly contributes to the Dubai 2033 Plan, including its social and economic agendas.