Dubai International Best Practices Award Winners 2026 Highlight Global Sustainable Urban Projects

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development honoured global initiatives during the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026. The 14th edition highlighted practical solutions from several continents that improve cities, protect natural resources, and support communities, reinforcing Dubai’s role in shaping future-ready urban policies and long-term development strategies.

The Award, organised by Dubai Municipality with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), recognised innovative projects that improve quality of life and urban environments. Over more than thirty years, the platform has encouraged practical models that cities can adapt. It also supports efforts to link human wellbeing with sustainability goals, placing residents’ needs at the centre of urban planning decisions.

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H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum affirmed that the Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development has, since its launch, helped position the UAE and Dubai as a reference for future cities. The Award highlights human-centred planning, with priority given to resilience, environmental protection, and inclusive services, aiming to make urban areas more liveable and better prepared for emerging challenges.

H.H. said: "Our goal is for the Award to serve as an inspiring global reference that motivates individuals and institutions around the world to develop innovative solutions, projects, and urban practices that support sustainable growth and enhance quality of life. We believe that building a better future for communities and future generations begins with believing in the importance of change today and thinking proactively about creating cities that are more resilient, sustainable, and liveable."

The 14th edition of the Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development attracted more than 3,000 submissions from 152 countries, the highest level of participation to date. This notable response reflects the Award’s growing influence. It also shows how cities, institutions, and organisations now prioritise practical approaches that support sustainable development and improved daily life in different social and economic contexts.

The Award recognised four winning projects across distinct categories, covering urban regeneration, food systems, infrastructure planning, and climate response. These initiatives came from the Republic of Colombia, the Portuguese Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the People’s Republic of China. Together, they demonstrated varied but complementary responses to environmental pressures, social needs, and infrastructure gaps faced by modern cities.

Sustainable urban development and the four winning initiatives

The Best Practices Award in Urban Regeneration and Public Spaces went to the Mallorquín Swamp Renewal Project – Nature-Positive Urban Transformation in Barranquilla: Revitalising Local Ecosystems and Restoring Public Spaces for Residents, from the Republic of Colombia. The project restores more than 740 hectares of wetlands and green areas, plants 250,000 trees, mainly mangroves, and creates over 200,000 square metres of public spaces for residents.

The Best Practices Award in Sustaining Urban Food Systems recognised Cascais Harvest Haven – The Urban Agriculture Strategy of Terras de Cascais, from the Portuguese Republic. The strategy converted 17.6 hectares of urban and peri-urban land into an integrated food network, comprising 34 community gardens, five orchards, and 67 school gardens and training farms. It supports more than 5,000 people, mostly low-income families, and produces about 40 tonnes of organic food each year.

In the category of Urban Infrastructure Planning and Management, the Decent Life (Haya Karima) initiative from the Arab Republic of Egypt received the Best Practices Award. This national programme aligns with Egypt Vision 2030 and targets more than 60 million rural residents through upgrades to water, electricity, and sanitation networks, as well as roads, schools, and healthcare centres across over 4,500 villages in 20 governorates.

The Decent Life (Haya Karima) initiative is being implemented in three phases, each linked to different poverty levels. The first phase covered 1,477 villages, while the remaining phases plan more than 27,000 service and development projects. The programme’s broad scope illustrates how large-scale infrastructure planning can raise living standards and modernise essential services in rural areas.

The Best Practices Award in Addressing Climate Change and Reducing Pollution was presented to Blue Circle Marine Waste Management from the People’s Republic of China. This project applies data, blockchain, and artificial intelligence to manage marine waste and ship-related pollution across 14 coastal cities. Through a network of more than 13,000 vessels, it aims to collect 19,600 tonnes of marine waste by 2025 and expand marine plastic recycling into low-carbon industrial materials.

Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: "The Award reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for designing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future cities that place human wellbeing and quality of life at their core. It also reflects the UAE and Dubai’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and advancing sustainable urban development pathways that protect the environment and enhance urban living."

He added: "The Dubai International Best Practices Award celebrates exceptional ideas and projects that achieve balance across environmental, social, urban, and technological systems. It provides a valuable global platform for sharing knowledge, drawing inspiration, and scaling innovations that contribute to resilient infrastructure and improved quality of life for communities worldwide."

The Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development mirrors the UAE’s wider drive to build partnerships and support innovative city models. Dubai Municipality participates in the World Governments Summit as Smart City Partner in its 13th edition, held under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments.’ The Summit hosts 150 government delegations, more than 80 international and regional organisations, and over 6,000 participants, including experts and thought leaders.

The Award’s outcomes, along with discussions at WGS 2026, strengthen cooperation between governments and institutions on sustainable urban development. By recognising practical examples from different regions, Dubai encourages knowledge exchange, supports more inclusive and liveable cities, and aligns its municipal work with long-term environmental and social goals that are relevant for the Middle East and beyond.

With inputs from WAM