Dubai Civility Committee: Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for a beautiful, refined city

Dubai: When you look at Dubai, you may see tall towers and world-class shopping centres. But look closer, and you’ll see pristine streets, artistic landmarks, fountains and feeding stations for animals, and mutual respect between the city’s diverse population. This is not by accident. Discover the Dubai Civility Committee. It’s an integrated framework that has the mandate to measure, advance, and preserve civility in Dubai, and to present to the world a living model of progress, values and human dignity. Here’s all you need to know about this forward-thinking initiative, and how it’s impacting your lifestyle in the city. What is the Dubai Civility Committee? Following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the best, the most beautiful, the most refined, and the most civilised city in the world, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, issued a Resolution establishing the Dubai Civility Committee in September 26, 2025. The Committee advances the notion that Dubai is not only defined by its beauty – it represents the world’s best experience of civility. In the city, discipline shapes daily life, public cleanliness is a shared responsibility, and refined behaviour sets a global benchmark. Through constant development and innovation, the Committee, in collaboration with other governmental bodies, helps preserve Dubai as the best, most civilised modern-day city in the world. How does it achieve its mission? The Committee is tasked with supporting Dubai’s efforts to enhance its aesthetic ambiance and global image, in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Apart from enhancing the visual appearance of the environment, in line with approved urban planning guidelines, the Dubai Civility Committee also focuses on advancing a culture of respect within the community, and ensuring collective responsibility to maintain the city’s dignity and elegance, through various projects and measures. The Dubai Civility Committee includes members from various sectors of governance and law enforcement, such as Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority and the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). It also collaborates with all government entities entrusted with upholding the city’s image. What are the responsibilities of the Dubai Civility Committee? According to its website, the Committee focuses on 12 clear objectives to accomplish its mission: Set the strategic direction and define public policies that promote positive behaviours and strengthen Dubai’s civility. Approve the city’s civility plan, with clear timelines, frameworks, and responsibilities for effective implementation. Enhance the visual appearance of the city by addressing elements that detract from its overall aesthetic, while reinforcing Dubai’s visual identity and ensuring harmony in its built environment. Identify and analyse emerging challenges related to civility and public behaviour, and formulate strategies and action plans to proactively manage their impact. Review, assess, and report on the outcomes of civility plans at every stage, assign clear responsibilities to relevant entities, and ensure surveys and solutions are in place for areas requiring improvement. Oversee the performance of all entities involved in advancing Dubai’s civility model, establish performance indicators, and measure progress, community satisfaction, and the effectiveness of policies and campaigns. Strengthen inspection and monitoring systems to sustain civility standards and prevent practices that could undermine the city’s model of refinement. Study challenges faced by entities in addressing behavioural or aesthetic issues and direct them to develop integrated plans that provide both immediate and lasting solutions. Leverage advanced tools and technologies, including AI, to enable early detection and proactive management of challenges that may affect Dubai’s civility model. Propose the financial resources and budgets required to implement civility plans, both short- and long-term, in coordination with the Department of Finance. Establish subcommittees and working groups to support implementation, provide strategic guidance, and address challenges that arise during execution. Ensure cooperation from all relevant government entities by requiring them to provide data, reports, statistics, and studies that support strategy development and informed decision-making. Which projects has the Dubai Civility Committee launched? The Dubai Civility Committee has several ongoing projects around the city. Here are just a few: Fountains of Mercy The Dubai Municipality launched the Fountains of Mercy initiative in January 2026. The project involves the installation of 50 dedicated fountains, providing drinking water for birds