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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will begin a pilot program for pooled school transportation in the first quarter of 2026, partnering with Yango Group and Urban Express Transport. The initiative is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to improve daily student mobility and support a sustainable transport system.

The program will operate shared buses serving multiple schools within defined geographic zones, allowing students traveling along similar routes to share transportation. RTA officials said the pilot aims to reduce traffic congestion near schools, optimize vehicle usage, and maintain high safety standards.

Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the RTA Public Transport Agency, emphasized that the initiative would incorporate smart technology for trip management, vehicle tracking, and operational monitoring. “This pilot represents a step toward developing new models for school transport in Dubai, with the potential for wider rollout based on measured outcomes,” he said.

Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group, noted that the project seeks to address daily mobility challenges by using data-driven route optimization and real-time operational oversight. “The initiative aims to reduce peak-hour traffic, improve service reliability, and offer a safer, more affordable option for families,” he said.

Dr. Mohammad Al Hashimi, Founder and CEO of Urban Express Transport, added that the program supports Dubai’s long-term transport goals by enhancing bus utilization and contributing to sustainable mobility solutions.

The pilot follows the signing of memoranda of understanding between RTA, Yango Group, and Urban Express Transport, formalizing the collaboration.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

The second edition of the Fazza Falcons Racing Cup (Telwah) began on Jan. 12 at the Lahbab Track at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center in Dubai, under the directives of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of both the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing and the UAE Falcons Federation.

The championship, held over a 400-meter distance, follows its inaugural edition last year, which recorded wide participation and set technical and competitive benchmarks for falconry racing. Organizers say the event is designed to build on those standards while providing a structured competitive platform for falconers.

The cup was established in recognition of the support for falconry racing from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. Total prizes for this year’s championship amount to AED 2.8 million.

Competitions in the Public Category (Owners - Open) were held on Jan. 12, while the Sheikh Category races are scheduled for Jan. 17 across six rounds.

Falcons competing in the Farkh category - Jeer Shaheen, Jeer Tibah, Pure Jeer, and Qarmousha - that place in the top three in the Symbol and Golden Burqa rounds of the Fazza Championship for Falconry -  Telwah, as well as first-place winners in the Cash rounds, qualify for the Fazza Falcons Racing Cup. The top three Farkh category falcons from the cup will advance to the final rounds of the Mohammed bin Rashid Falcons Cup.

Rashid bin Markhan, Secretary General of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing and the UAE Falcons Federation, said the championship has established a strong national presence since its launch. He noted that senior leadership attended the inaugural edition and crowned the winners, reflecting official support for falconry as a key element of the UAE’s heritage.

The UAE Falcons Federation has published the championship’s terms and conditions through its official social media platforms to ensure participants and stakeholders have access to accurate and timely information.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

The Dubai Financial Audit Authority (FAA) marked the graduation of the third cohort of its Professional Diploma - Government Auditor Programme, an initiative designed to strengthen governance and transparency across Dubai government entities. The programme is delivered in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) and aims to prepare national talent for audit and regulatory responsibilities.

The latest cohort included 22 employees from 13 government entities. Training was delivered in two phases. The academic phase comprised 29 modules covering areas such as artificial intelligence in auditing, International Standards on Auditing, International Public Sector Accounting Standards, financial legislation, financial statement analysis, enterprise risk management, and corporate governance. The second phase focused on practical application, with participants taking part in supervised audit assignments led by FAA experts.

Abdulrahman Al Hareb, Director General of the FAA, said the programme reflects the authority’s commitment to building a qualified national workforce capable of supporting effective oversight and regulatory frameworks in line with Dubai government priorities. He noted that the partnership with MBRSG has helped provide a structured environment that prepares participants for more advanced responsibilities.

Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of MBRSG, said the programme aligns with the leadership’s focus on investing in Emirati talent and strengthening institutional performance. He highlighted the importance of combining academic instruction with practical experience to support transparency, sound governance, and informed financial decision-making across government operations.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, attended the graduation of 522 content creators and new media specialists during the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, held in Dubai.

The graduates completed seven specialised programmes organised by the UAE Government Media Office and the New Media Academy in partnership with a range of public and private entities. The ceremony was attended by Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.

Speaking at the event, Sheikh Mohammed said the graduates would strengthen government communication and the country’s digital media sector by contributing to responsible and effective messaging that reflects the UAE’s values and development priorities. He described investment in people as central to future readiness and to keeping pace with rapid changes in digital media.

The graduating programmes included Impact Makers, Specialised Content Creators, Historical Content Creators, the sixth edition of the Faris Al Muhtawa Content Creators Program, the Executive Diploma in Government Digital Communication, Economic Content Pioneers, and the Social Media Professional Program. The initiatives focused on areas ranging from humanitarian storytelling and government communication to economic content, history, and professional social media management, with training that incorporated digital production skills and the use of artificial intelligence.

The graduation took place as part of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, organised by the UAE Government Media Office and held from 9 to 11 January across Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future. Held under the theme “Content for Good,” the summit brought together more than 15,000 content creators and influencers and over 500 speakers with a combined global audience exceeding 3.5 billion followers.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council, on Tuesday opened Intersec 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, underscoring Dubai’s ambition to remain a global hub for security, safety and emergency response technologies. The exhibition, now in its 27th edition, runs until 14 January.

Intersec 2026 brings together more than 1,200 exhibitors from over 60 countries and is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors. Spanning about 65,000 square metres, the event features conferences and forums with more than 250 international experts, reflecting the growing scale and reach of the global security industry.

During his visit, Sheikh Mansoor toured pavilions from national and international companies and government entities, reviewing developments in security systems, firefighting, emergency response and artificial intelligence–enabled operations. He also visited the Dubai Civil Defense pavilion, where new technologies were showcased, including advanced firefighting drones, rescue vehicles, robotic systems and an AI platform designed to support operational decision-making.

Intersec 2026 focuses on five core sectors: homeland security and policing, cybersecurity, commercial and perimeter security, fire and rescue, and health and safety. The programme continues with the International Security Leaders’ Summit, the Fire and Rescue Conference, innovation forums and concludes with the Intersec Awards ceremony in Dubai.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai’s real estate market reached a new high in 2025, recording more than 270,000 transactions valued at AED 917 billion, a 20 percent increase from the previous year. The results mark the strongest performance in the sector’s history and reflect a market shaped by tighter regulation, more disciplined practices, and a long-term investment strategy.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, said the results show that the market has entered a more mature phase, capable of translating investor confidence into stable, sustainable value. He pointed to clear planning, transparent regulation, and balanced growth as key factors supporting performance and quality of life.

Real estate activity remained broad-based. Total transactions across sales, leases, and related services reached 3.11 million in 2025, up 7 percent from 2024. Investment value exceeded AED 680 billion across 258,600 deals, with the number of investors rising 24 percent to about 193,100, including nearly 129,600 new investors. Resident investors accounted for 56.6 percent of the total.

Women continued to expand their role in the market, investing AED 154 billion through 76,700 transactions, with growth of 31 percent in value and 24 percent in volume. Luxury property investments reached AED 3.98 billion, while the average transition from renter to owner stood at 4.8 years.

Transaction volumes were highest in areas including Al Barsha South Fourth, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Airport City. By value, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Khalifa district led the market. Mortgage activity was similarly concentrated in established and emerging districts, reflecting geographically balanced growth.

Omar Hamad Bu Shehab, Director General of the Dubai Land Department, said the 2025 performance underscored a more sustainable market anchored in governance, transparency, and data-driven policy. He noted that the results align with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, which targets transaction volumes of AED 1 trillion and aims to strengthen Dubai’s position among the world’s leading economic cities.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid honoured the winner of the Educator Award during the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, held in Dubai. The award, launched by the summit in partnership with TikTok, recognises creators who advance digital learning and expand access to knowledge.

A specialised jury selected three finalists, with Matt Green awarded first place and a $100,000 cash prize. Green, a TikTok creator, broadcaster and author, is known for turning classroom science lessons into short rap videos designed to make complex topics accessible. He has 1.4 million followers on the platform.

The ceremony took place at the summit, described by organisers as the world’s largest gathering focused on the content creation economy. The event is organised by the UAE Government Media Office under the theme “Content for Good” and runs until 11 January across Emirates Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future.

The summit has drawn more than 15,000 content creators and influencers and over 500 speakers, whose combined audiences exceed 3.5 million followers worldwide.

Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid said the summit has become a global platform for creative communities and reinforces the UAE’s role as a hub for the content creation economy. He congratulated the award’s winner and finalists, noting the role of digital tools in supporting education and community development. He described educational content as a key element in empowering individuals and supporting future generations.

The Educator Award attracted nearly 600,000 educational content creators from the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. About 108,000 met eligibility requirements, producing more than 320,000 TikTok videos under the hashtag #EducatorAward.

The finalists included Abdullah Annan, a science content creator with 6.7 million TikTok followers known for his Science Street initiative, and Dr Amy Boyington, a historian and author with 1.2 million followers who produces history-focused videos.

The award focuses on areas including science and innovation, school education, personal development, humanities, and business and finance, reflecting the summit’s emphasis on accessible and engaging educational content. The ceremony was attended by senior officials and content creators participating in the event.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) added 1,000 megawatts of clean energy capacity in 2025, marking a significant step in the expansion of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Dubai’s broader energy transition.

The new capacity forms part of the 1,800-megawatt sixth phase of the solar park, one of the largest renewable energy projects in the region. According to DEWA, the milestone reflects steady, phased development designed to strengthen the resilience of Dubai’s power system while meeting rising demand linked to population and economic growth.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA’s managing director and chief executive, said the progress aligns with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, to accelerate the shift toward renewable energy. He noted that the project supports long-term planning and operational stability.

The expansion is consistent with the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which targets 100 percent of installed power generation capacity from clean energy sources by mid-century.

Launched in 2012, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park has now reached a total production capacity of 3,860 megawatts. By 2030, capacity is expected to exceed 8,000 megawatts, surpassing the original target of 5,000 megawatts. DEWA estimates that the project will reduce carbon emissions by more than 8.5 million tonnes annually.

DEWA said it tendered the seventh phase of the solar park in 2025. The remaining 800 megawatts of the sixth phase are scheduled to come online by the fourth quarter of 2026.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, chaired a Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi to review the federal government’s record since he assumed office in 2006.

Senior members of the UAE leadership attended the meeting, which focused on institutional reforms, economic performance and policy initiatives over the past 20 years. Sheikh Mohammed said the federal government had issued more than 16,000 resolutions and allocated over AED 1.1 trillion in budgets during that period, reshaping government operations, modernising infrastructure and streamlining public services.

According to figures reviewed by the Cabinet, federal spending grew by 167 per cent between 2006 and 2026, while real GDP rose by 94 per cent from 2006 to 2024. Non-oil foreign trade increased nearly sixfold, reaching about AED 3 trillion in 2024, with non-oil exports rising sharply over the same period. Education, healthcare, social development and housing accounted for the largest shares of government expenditure.

The Cabinet highlighted a series of long-term strategies launched since 2007, including Vision 2021, Centennial 2071, the “Preparing for the Next 50 Years” programme, and the “We Are the UAE 2031” plan. It also reviewed reforms in government performance management, legislation, artificial intelligence policy and digital governance, including the launch of a unified federal legislation platform and the establishment of a Regulatory Intelligence Office in 2025.

Ministers also discussed recent policy updates, including healthcare services for People of Determination, the Circular Economy Policy 2031, and the National Strategy to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The Cabinet reviewed progress under the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and approved several international agreements, including air services and economic cooperation accords.

Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE’s development model has gained international recognition, with the country ranking first globally in hundreds of performance indicators, and reaffirmed the government’s focus on long-term growth and institutional reform under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai Municipality and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) have launched a joint initiative to plant 20,000 trees in parks, residential areas and educational institutions across the emirate. The programme coincides with the 20th anniversary of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum assuming leadership of Dubai.

The initiative will involve public and private entities, schools, universities and community members, with the aim of expanding green cover and encouraging participation in environmental stewardship. Dubai Municipality has identified several locations for planting, including Al Barsha South, Al Barsha Pond Park, Al Aweer’s Nakheel Park, the Quranic Garden in Al Khawaneej, Al Mizhar Second, Nad Al Sheba’s Blossoms Park, Al Safa Park in Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Quoz Pond Park and Al Warqa’a 3.

Under the plan, participating schools and universities will register the number and types of trees they intend to plant through KHDA. The authority will then coordinate with Dubai Municipality to supply saplings and oversee implementation.

Officials said the initiative supports the emirate’s broader sustainability agenda, including the Dubai Green Project, the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040. The programme is intended to increase green spaces, improve environmental conditions and integrate sustainability into community and educational settings.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.