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Sheikh Hamdan launches ‘Dubai Quality of Life Strategy’ 2033

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Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, today approved the ‘Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033’, a visionary strategy dedicated to ensuring the comprehensive wellbeing of all segments of the community including nationals, residents and visitors. Encompassing a holistic and integrated approach to wellbeing, the strategy aims to establish Dubai as a global leader in quality of life and enhance its status as the world’s preferred destination to live, work and visit.

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed stressed that caring for people remains the cornerstone of Dubai’s sustainable development strategies. The wellbeing of individuals is the ultimate objective of our development plans and the primary criterion for the success of government programmes.

“We have today approved the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 as part of our efforts to raise our global standing in the economy as well as in the areas of innovation and wellbeing. The vibrancy and cultural diversity of our society are key to our development journey.”

“The Dubai Quality of Life Strategy encompasses over 200 projects, initiatives, and plans. The strategy encompasses ten key pillars, all dedicated to fostering the wellbeing of individuals, society, and the city. Our objective is to establish Dubai as one of the world’s best cities in terms of wellbeing, offer every resident a healthy, active, and enjoyable lifestyle, build a society that takes pride in its identity and cultural diversity, and offer the highest quality of leisure and entertainment. Dubai’s name will become synonymous with fine living worldwide.”

“All projects initiated as part of the strategy will be overseen by a new office dedicated to enhancing quality of life in Dubai, in coordination with over 19 government entities and dozens of private organisations,” His Highness added. 

Innovative initiatives
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum made these remarks after reviewing the highlights of the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy, which is aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The strategy features an integrated roadmap for sustainable urban development in the city for all segments of the community aimed at realising His Highness’s vision for Dubai’s future and establishing it as one of the world’s best cities in terms of wellbeing. 

Upon arrival at the designated location for the plan’s launch at Keturah Reserve, His Highness was received by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner-General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Well-Being Pillar. His Highness was briefed about a host of innovative initiatives that included wellbeing districts, the 20-minute city concept, development of a new generation of parks, the walking strategy, development plans for outlying areas, the development of beaches, the landscaping strategy, and the development of sports and entertainment facilities accessible to all.

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed reviewed the new vision for designing model neighbourhoods covering three districts across Dubai: Al Mizhar 1, Al Khawaneej 2, and Al Barsha 2. This new vision aims to enhance the infrastructure of these existing neighbourhoods by upgrading social amenities and services, promoting soft mobility options for healthier living environments, and improving connections between community hubs such as parks, mosques, and shops.

More than 115 km of pedestrian and cycling tracks will be constructed, more than 3,000 trees and plants will be planted, and more than 20 investment opportunities will be created during Phase 1 of the strategy for the residents of Al Khawaneej 2 and Al Barsha 2.

The redevelopment plans include upgrading the existing collector streets and constructing shaded canopies, lanes for bikes and e-scooters, pedestrian walkways, restrooms, and family recreational spaces. 

The vision also involves landscaping, constructing distinctive architectural gateways for each residential community, giving a unique character to every neighbourhood, and improving alleyways and street intersections to boost safety and provide pedestrian lanes. 

Furthermore, it offers investment opportunities for locals, enhances public services, and delivers the ’20-minute city’ concept, which aims to ensure residents can access 80% of essential services within a 20-minute journey aboard soft and sustainable mobility options. 

His Highness also reviewed the designs of the next generation of parks in Dubai, featuring new and innovative design elements that cater to the diverse needs of the community, reflect the unique character of each district, and incorporate sustainable activities to foster wellbeing. More than 30 parks with the new designs will be developed across the emirate within three years.

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed directed all government departments in Dubai to expedite the implementation of projects and initiatives linked to the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy.

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Al Marjan Island hotel project sold to DAMAC for reported fourfold return on equity

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A hospitality development on Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island was sold to DAMAC in 2024 in a transaction that generated a fourfold return on invested equity, according to a press release issued by Zenith Group.

The development was undertaken by Three Musketeers Hospitality, a wholly owned subsidiary of Plus Holding Ltd, co-founded by Dubai businessman Hari Shankar Tibrewal, chairman of Zenith Group.

According to the release, the company secured a beachfront site on Al Marjan Island and signed an agreement with Marriott International in May 2023 to develop the Le Méridien Al Marjan Island Resort & Spa.
The proposed resort was to feature approximately 350 rooms and suites, seven restaurants and lounges, a spa, swimming pool and other leisure facilities, with an opening originally scheduled for 2026.
The investment came during a period of rapid growth in Ras Al Khaimah’s property market, driven partly by the announcement of Wynn’s multibillion-dollar integrated resort on Al Marjan Island. Land values on the island rose by approximately 65 per cent in 2023.
The venture subsequently sold the project to DAMAC in 2024 rather than proceeding with construction. Zenith Group said the transaction generated a return equivalent to four times the equity invested, although the release did not disclose the original investment or sale consideration.
“We entered Al Marjan Island early, added value by bringing in Marriott, and sold when the right offer came,” Tibrewal said in the statement.
The sale came as major developers increased their exposure to Ras Al Khaimah, where tourism-related investment and demand for waterfront property have attracted growing interest.
According to Zenith Group, the decision to sell reflected a strategy of realising returns after securing the land and hospitality partnership, rather than committing additional capital to construction.
The release did not provide details of the project’s subsequent development plans following the reported sale.

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UAE Student Robotics Team Wins Global Silver, Building on Gold and Silver Successes at ‘Robotics Olympics’

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The UAE’s young robotics champions secured silver in the Winning Alliance finals at the FIRST Global Challenge (FGC) 2026 in Incheon, South Korea, emerging among the top performers against student teams representing 187 countries and further strengthening the nation’s reputation for excellence in robotics and technological innovation.

Popularly known as the ‘Robotics Olympics’, the competition brings together young innovators worldwide to tackle global challenges through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The event is supported by industry giants including Lam Research, LG Electronics, FedEx and Stellantis Philanthropy, with MIT, Yale University and the UN’s International Telecommunication Union among its collaborators.

Bansan Thomas George, National Organiser of FIRST Global Challenge UAE and Founder and CEO of Unique World Robotics, said, “These medals reflect years of dedication and learning. Seeing our students develop into confident innovators and problem-solvers is our greatest achievement.”

The latest achievement builds on Team UAE’s impressive international record. In 2024, the team secured silver in the FIRST Global Grand Challenge Award and bronze in the International Enthusiasm Award in Athens, Greece. In 2025, it won gold in the New Technology Experience category in Panama City for its innovative STASH project, using sodium alginate hydrogels to preserve biological material without conventional refrigeration.

The 14-member UAE team comprised Shreya Binoy Nair, Hriday Pritam Garud, Arjun Sandesh Potkar, Aryav Karmakar, Maahi Gera and Liam Fernandes  (GEMS Modern Academy); Ryan Rony Richard (GEMS Founders School Dubai); Fazil Tafseer (Dubai British School Jumeirah Park); Rayaan Kadernani and Asiru Asiru (Dubai College); Sandra Nair and Zaki Hashim Thottathikulam (DPS Dubai); Mohamed Aamir Nazaif (GEMS Cambridge International School, Abu Dhabi); and Yuvaan Amit Deshpande (Raffles World Academy).

Shreya Binoy Nair, Captain of Team UAE, said, “We overcame challenges together, learned from talented students worldwide and built friendships across borders. Winning silver for the UAE is a moment we will always cherish.”

The team was guided by coaches Ali Mohamed Sheikh Ali Abdurahman, Manoj Thannikal Joseph and Head Coach Mohammed Mukhtar Latif.

Mukhtar said, “The students pushed their boundaries in robot design, problem-solving and teamwork. Their resilience and commitment made this achievement possible.”

Unique World Robotics has nurtured young UAE robotics talent for years through training and mentorship. The achievement was celebrated in Dubai with students, coaches, mentors and parents.

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UAE cricketers get a front-row seat with biggest names at Abu Dhabi T10

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UAE cricketers will learn from some of the biggest names in the game at the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10, which runs from 7 to 20 November. Muhammad Waseem will share a dressing room with Nicholas Pooran. Alishan Sharafu will play under Moeen Ali. And Muhammad Rohid will bowl with Kieron Pollard setting his field, while Dwayne Bravo, one of T20 cricket’s most successful bowlers, works with him as UAE Bulls’ bowling coach and mentor.

Several UAE players were picked across the six franchises at the draft on 30 September, and the rules guarantee them time in the middle. Every playing XI must include at least two UAE players.

Royal Desert Champions have Waseem, Aayan Afzal Khan and Dhruv Parashar. Sharafu and Vriitya Aravind are at Arabian Aces, and Rohid and Wali Muhammad at UAE Bulls. Emirates Eagles picked Haider Razzaq, Luqman Faisal and Harshit Kaushik, United Tigers chose Awais Ali Shah and Adithya Shetty, and Yas Lions have Ansh Tandon and Haider Ali.

Several of them have already established their impact at this level. Waseem, the UAE stalwart scored 176 runs at a strike rate of 196 for Quetta Qavalry last season, with a best of 50 not out. Back in 2021 he made 56 not out off 13 balls for Northern Warriors, a half-century that equalled the T10 record for the fastest fifty at the time. He also holds a record US$210,000 contract in the DP World ILT20. Spinner Haider Ali played alongside former India leg-spinner Piyush Chawla at Ajman Titans last season.

Sharafu has seen what this exposure can do. Five years from his debut in the competition, he is an established UAE international, and after playing alongside Moeen at Ajman Titans last season, he joins him again at Arabian Aces.

The opportunity reaches beyond the UAE. Netherlands spinner Aryan Dutt was picked by Yas Lions as their Associate Member selection, and Scotland’s Bradley Currie is at UAE Bulls. USA batter Andries Gous was one of Yas Lions’ three pre-draft signings after scoring 175 runs at a strike rate of 168.3 for Quetta Qavalry last season.

The coaching benches carry plenty of experience too. Andy Flower is head coach of UAE Bulls, Lance Klusener of Arabian Aces and Mickey Arthur of Emirates Eagles. Royal Desert Champions have Robin Singh as team director, and he knows the local game well from his time as the UAE’s director of cricket. At Arabian Aces, the younger players will train and play every day alongside Moeen Ali, Andre Russell and Liam Livingstone.

The first test comes on 7 November, when UAE Bulls and Yas Lions open the tournament at Zayed Cricket Stadium. The final is on 20 November.

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