Dubai will host 1,000 leading public- and private-sector executives and leaders at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum on September 23. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the event will also announce and honour the director-general selected to receive the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Medal.

The annual gathering, to be held at Dubai World Trade Centre, aims to advance modern management and leadership practices while exploring future opportunities and challenges.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum supports the Dubai Ruler’s vision of establishing a world-class leadership and management system focused on innovation, adaptability, speed of execution and the ability to shape the future.

The event also seeks to turn Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s management and leadership principles into an operational framework across Dubai entities, helping to improve government performance and enhance quality of life.

Sharing management expertise and exploring Dubai’s future

Organised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, the forum will bring together public- and private-sector executives, senior decision-makers, international experts and academics.

Participants will discuss Dubai’s achievements, future goals, strategic priorities and development projects.

The forum’s programme will examine the future of government and organisational management amid rapid global change. Topics will include the development of future cities, emerging economic opportunities and the use of advanced technologies to create more efficient operating models.

Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Medal to be awarded to selected director-general

During the event, one Dubai Government director-general will be named and honoured as the recipient of the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Medal.

The medal, regarded as the highest leadership honour in the Dubai Government, was introduced at the previous forum at the initiative of 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 Dubai Executive Council.

The medal was established to promote a culture of developing government leaders and empowering second-tier executives to maintain and enhance the quality of Dubai Government performance.

Sheikh Hamdan recently approved the first recipient of the medal.

A total of 32 Dubai Government entities participated in the medal’s inaugural assessment cycle.

The award recognises the director-general who has made the greatest contribution to identifying, training, supporting and empowering second-tier executives.

Selection criteria include building trust within teams, encouraging employees to fulfil their potential, improving performance and innovation, delegating authority, expanding responsibilities and promoting decentralisation.

The role of technology and artificial intelligence in the future of management

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, said the Ruler of Dubai had established a management model based on foresight, continuous improvement and investment in people.

He said the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum aims to prepare leaders capable of anticipating future developments, creating new opportunities and offering innovative solutions to emerging challenges.

Al Gergawi added that the forum would examine key trends shaping the future of leadership, changes in management practices, and the role of technology and artificial intelligence in redesigning working models.

He said that by showcasing successful international experiences and practices, the event would help organisations become better prepared to adapt to rapid change and strengthen their capacity for development and innovation.

The forum’s programme will include interactive sessions, expert discussions, training workshops and presentations by prominent executives and specialists.

Specialised sessions on the economy and cities of the future

Several strategic sessions will be held as part of the forum, including:

Future Economy Council: Examining economic growth and innovation trends.

Future Cities Leadership Council: Exploring modern approaches to urban management and the development of smart infrastructure.

New Global Narrative Council: Examining ways to strengthen Dubai’s position in the fields of the economy, media, knowledge and humanitarian work.

The sessions will examine strategic priorities and major initiatives across various sectors while strengthening cooperation among government entities, private-sector organisations and academic institutions.

Agreements with international universities

On the sidelines of the forum, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development will hold a networking event connecting graduates of its programmes with senior Dubai Government executives.

The initiative aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and management expertise while establishing direct links between current leaders and promising Emirati talent.

The centre is also expected to sign memoranda of understanding with several international universities to launch new leadership research and develop specialised studies.

The research will focus on documenting Dubai’s transformation under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and examining his management and development philosophy.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development said that, under the theme “Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders”, it works to identify, train and prepare Emirati executives at various levels.

Through specialised programmes and targeted initiatives, the centre seeks to develop leaders with diverse skills, the ability to adapt to change, sound decision-making capabilities in critical situations and the capacity to provide innovative solutions to future challenges.