CDA unites 27 entities to shape Dubai Social Strategy 2025–33

Dubai: In a strategic move to shape Dubai’s Social Sector Strategy 2025–2033, the Community Development Authority (CDA) hosted a wide-reaching co-design workshop that brought together around 70 representatives from 27 local and federal government entities.

This workshop forms the first stage in developing the startegy, a roadmap that will guide the city’s social progress over the next decade.

The session featured dynamic technical discussions and interactive dialogue where participants shared field-based expertise and valuable insights to ensure the strategy addresses real community needs.

This inclusive initiative aligns with key national and local frameworks, including the Dubai Social Agenda 33, the Dubai Plan 2033, and the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, placing people’s wellbeing at the center of all developmental efforts.

Human-centric outcomes 

The future strategy is designed around tangible, measurable outcomes that prioritize individuals, families, and communities:

• Personal Wellbeing: Supporting the psychological and social health of individuals
• Family Cohesion: Enhancing the nurturing and supportive role of families
• Community Belonging: Encouraging active participation and meaningful societal contribution from all members

In line with Dubai’s innovation-led approach, the strategy emphasizes the use of advanced technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence to enhance the delivery of social services, ensuring faster, more accurate, and user-friendly solutions to meet evolving societal needs.

Image Via: Dubai Media Office | Cropped by ET

Renewing the vision for an inclusive society

Building on previous achievements in the social sector, the strategy is set to widen its reach and deepen its impact by:

• Strengthening community resilience and helping families adapt to future challenges
• Shifting from traditional care approaches to a social investment model that values active community participation and ensures long-term sustainability
• Reinforcing a sense of national identity and belonging, especially in a rapidly digitizing and globalized world
• Addressing financial pressures faced by low- and middle-income families in the current economic climate

Collective commitment to a sustainable future

Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority, addressed the participants, stressing the vital importance of inclusive and integrated engagement in building a social development model that works for all segments of society.

“Shaping the future of the social sector is not achieved through decisions alone, it requires dialogue, participation, integration, and the courage to ask difficult questions. This strategy is more than just a working document; it is a sincere call to renew our commitment to people and society, and to pursue development pathways that are more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable,” Buhumaid added.

Her Excellency praised the proactive contributions of all participating government entities and emphasized that the Authority’s co-design approach reflects its belief that sustainable and innovative solutions emerge from within the community, through practitioners, experts, and citizens working together.

Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid / Image Via: Dubai Media Office | Cropped by ET

Three-phase development process

The development of the Social Sector Strategy 2025–2033 is being carried out in three integrated phases:

1. Situational Analysis and Future Foresight – Understanding current conditions and anticipating future social challenges and opportunities
2. Designing Key Pillars, Initiatives, and Performance Indicators – Structuring the strategic foundation and defining metrics for success
3. Building an Integrated Implementation Plan and Roadmap – Crafting a concrete action plan to deliver measurable outcomes on the ground

Each stage of the process will involve direct engagement with stakeholders through technical workshops, interviews, and field visits, ensuring the final strategy is practical, actionable, and rooted in real-world community needs.

The CDA reaffirmed its long-term commitment to human wellbeing and reiterated that this strategy will further strengthen Dubai’s reputation as a global role model for building inclusive, cohesive, and future-ready societies.

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