The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) continues to reinforce an integrated government model built on leveraging knowledge and fostering innovation, supporting the development of a flexible ecosystem capable of keeping pace with rapid transformations and creating future opportunities.
This direction stems from an institutional vision grounded in the integration of systems, empowerment of talent, and the adoption of advanced methodologies that transform future foresight into strategic decisions and impactful initiatives. These efforts enhance the quality of government services and strengthen the organization’s readiness for the next phase.
Integrated Systems Driving Future Decision-Making
In this context, GDRFA Dubai developed the Future Design System as a comprehensive institutional framework that links future foresight with strategic planning and organizational readiness. The system has successfully transformed foresight outputs into impactful decisions and projects. One of its key outcomes is the “Red Carpet” project, which originated from a future study conducted in 2015 and contributed to achieving a 95.6% future readiness rate by 2025.
GDRFA Dubai also established the Future Studies Quality Assessment Center, the first of its kind globally, dedicated to ensuring the quality and reliability of foresight studies before they are utilized in decision-making. The center evaluated future studies in alignment with strategic priorities, resulting in 7 future studies developed based on 3 approved criteria.
Empowering Innovation and Turning Ideas into Impact
As part of fostering a culture of institutional innovation, GDRFA Dubai implemented the Innovators Sponsorship Program, which graduated more than 158 participants, contributing to the development of 29 innovative projects in collaboration with various entities. These efforts transformed creative ideas into practical solutions that enhance institutional readiness and reinforce government excellence.
The Directorate also developed the Innovation Enablers Maturity Program, designed to measure the readiness of organizational units and their ability to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem. The program assessed 9 organizational units across 8 pillars and 5 maturity levels, contributing to improved institutional performance and more informed decision-making.
In the same context, GDRFA Dubai organized the Global Innovation Summit in collaboration with the Global Innovation Institute (GInI). The summit served as an international platform bringing together leading thinkers and experts, resulting in the participation winning 4 global awards, reflecting the Directorate’s leadership and global influence in institutional innovation.
From Knowledge to Institutional Readiness
In advancing institutional knowledge, GDRFA Dubai implemented the Learning and Knowledge Production Management System, which enhances the integration of learning and knowledge management and transforms them into actionable knowledge that supports policy development and decision-making. The system produced more than 450 knowledge outputs, documented as intellectual contributions that directly enhanced institutional performance.
GDRFA Dubai also launched the Business Incubators Program (in collaboration with the University of Rochester), which bridged academic research with practical application. The program engaged 7 researchers and 16 students, resulting in the development of 10 innovative projects that evolved into implementable solutions supporting the advancement of government services.
Investing in People and Shaping the Future
As part of empowering future generations, GDRFA Dubai launched the Tomorrow’s Innovators Program, graduating more than 45 participants through an integrated training experience combining technical skills, knowledge, and leadership development—preparing a capable and future-ready generation.
The Directorate also adopted the GDRFA Dubai Centennial Initiative as a long-term strategic framework aimed at future foresight and enhancing institutional readiness, in alignment with the UAE Vision 2071, ensuring sustainable performance and long-term institutional leadership.
Global Engagement Strengthening Dubai’s Position
At the international level, GDRFA Dubai participated as a strategic partner (Platinum Sponsor) in the Global Innovation Summit and organized the International Conference on AI Innovations (ICEQ). The conference brought together leading experts and specialists from around the world, with participation from 31 government entities and more than 40 innovative projects. It highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in empowering government entities, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting future-focused decision-making.
A Government Model Shaping the Future
GDRFA Dubai affirms that these systems and initiatives collectively form an integrated government model capable of adapting to change, enhancing quality of life, and supporting sustainable development in the Emirate of Dubai.
These efforts reflect the GDRFA Dubai’s commitment to supporting Dubai’s global leadership ambitions by developing innovative government models that place people at the center and proactively shape the future with confidence—aligning with Dubai’s vision to be the best city in the world to live and work.
