Dubai has officially joined the Global Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities), a leading international platform that brings together cities committed to strengthening urban resilience and sustainable development. The move reflects Dubai’s growing global influence in areas such as risk management, strategic planning, and readiness for future challenges.
On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Committee for Crisis and Disaster Management, emphasized the significance of this step, calling it a milestone that boosts Dubai’s status on the world map of future-ready cities.
He noted that joining the network enhances the city’s ability to anticipate risks, adapt to challenges, and strengthens its role as a model of resilience and sustainability in the urban sphere.
“This step reflects Dubai’s global reputation as a city that is well-prepared for the future and continually invests in enhancing its ability to respond to crises effectively,” His Highness said. “It ensures the continuity of development and a high quality of life, while building a system capable of adapting to change and securing a better, more sustainable future.”
A Strategic Move Toward Global Collaboration
The announcement reinforces Dubai’s commitment to international collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the field of urban resilience. Through its membership in the Global Resilient Cities Network, Dubai will gain access to an elite circle of global cities working together to tackle shared challenges, from climate change and natural disasters to economic and social disruptions.
Ahmed Atique Bourguiba, Executive Director of the Dubai Center for Resilience, described the move as a defining moment in Dubai’s journey toward building a future-ready city. He highlighted that this collaboration will enable Dubai to exchange expertise with leading global cities and apply the most advanced practices in urban resilience to ensure uninterrupted services and a high standard of living in all circumstances.
Toward a Smarter, More Resilient Future
Bourguiba added that this international partnership will serve as a platform for launching innovative projects in the fields of smart technology, risk management, and resilience infrastructure. It will also help local institutions in Dubai design forward-thinking policies based on global knowledge, accelerating the city’s evolution into a smart and agile urban hub.
He emphasized that Dubai’s approach goes beyond simply preparing for crises—it focuses on building a resilient, integrated system that ensures continued progress and growth, regardless of external pressures or global uncertainties.
A Regional First with Global Impact
Dubai is now the first city in the Gulf region to become part of the Global Resilient Cities Network, a fact that underscores its leadership in this vital area. The city aims for its participation to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for other cities in the region to follow suit—strengthening global efforts to build cities that are safer, more sustainable, and better equipped to face the future.
By joining this pioneering network, Dubai not only affirms its own resilience but contributes to a collective global vision: building cities that thrive in the face of uncertainty and lead the way in sustainable urban development.
