Dubai ranks among top 5 smart cities in IMD Index 2025
Listen to article
Dubai has been ranked fourth globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, marking a significant leap from its previous position and reinforcing its status as a regional and global leader in digital innovation and smart governance.
The ranking, released by the IMD World Competitiveness Center, assesses cities based on how digital technologies improve residents' quality of life.
The survey-based index evaluates cities across key pillars, including health, mobility, governance, and activities.
Dubai recorded strong resident satisfaction scores in several key areas, including 86.5% for internet speed, 85.4% for online ID services, 84.5% for medical appointment bookings, and 83.4% for access to green spaces.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority, said the result reflects 'collective efforts' by public and private stakeholders, adding that Dubai outperformed Zurich, Oslo, and Geneva in smart mobility indicators such as vehicle-sharing, bicycle rentals, and smart parking.
Dubai Police chief Lt Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri called the ranking a milestone that reflects the city's progress in artificial intelligence and sustainable digital security.
Officials from Digital Dubai, Dubai Culture, and the Community Development Authority also attributed the achievement to collaborative innovation and the emirate's people-first digital strategy.
This progress aligns with the Dubai Digital Strategy and AI Strategy 2030, both of which aim to digitise citywide services and promote autonomous, tech-enabled urban living.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Dubai ranks among top 5 smart cities in IMD Index 2025
Listen to article Dubai has been ranked fourth globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, marking a significant leap from its previous position and reinforcing its status as a regional and global leader in digital innovation and smart governance. The ranking, released by the IMD World Competitiveness Center, assesses cities based on how digital technologies improve residents' quality of life. The survey-based index evaluates cities across key pillars, including health, mobility, governance, and activities. Dubai recorded strong resident satisfaction scores in several key areas, including 86.5% for internet speed, 85.4% for online ID services, 84.5% for medical appointment bookings, and 83.4% for access to green spaces. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority, said the result reflects 'collective efforts' by public and private stakeholders, adding that Dubai outperformed Zurich, Oslo, and Geneva in smart mobility indicators such as vehicle-sharing, bicycle rentals, and smart parking. Dubai Police chief Lt Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri called the ranking a milestone that reflects the city's progress in artificial intelligence and sustainable digital security. Officials from Digital Dubai, Dubai Culture, and the Community Development Authority also attributed the achievement to collaborative innovation and the emirate's people-first digital strategy. This progress aligns with the Dubai Digital Strategy and AI Strategy 2030, both of which aim to digitise citywide services and promote autonomous, tech-enabled urban living.
Business Recorder
13-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Dubai named world's fourth smartest city
Dubai was named the fourth smartest city, by the IMD Smart City Index 2025, moving up 8 spots from last year. Zurich came in first place followed by Oslo and Geneva. Dubai scored well in several categories, cementing its position as a digital-first, future-forward city. Abu Dhabi came in fifth place followed by London, Copenhagen, Canberra, Singapore and Lausanne. The IMD Smart City Index, issued by the IMD World Competitiveness Centre, is a globally recognised analytical tool that assesses how effectively cities leverage digital technologies to enhance residents' quality of life. In the 2025 report, Dubai recorded progress in 16 out of 20 technology indicators and achieved advancement across all four pillars of technology governance, underscoring its commitment to smart city excellence. Asia Rising: Dubai's transformation to becoming tech hub draws parallel with Silicon Valley and Bengalaru The new cities added this year were: AlUla in Saudi Arabia, Astana in Kazakhstan, Caracas in Venezuela, Kuwait City in Kuwait, Manama in Bahrain, and San Juan in Puerto Rico – bringing this year's total to 146. Findings: A few of the metrics are listed below 86.5% of Dubai residents were satisfied with the city's current internet speed and reliability, 78.3% of residents find that free public wifi has improved access to city services 85.4% of residents thought processing identification documents online has reduced waiting times 8.3% responded that online ticketing has made attending shows and events easier 86.8% respondents thought that information on local government decisions are easily accessible 89.3% residents found that CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer Dubai was recently also named among top 5 fintech destinations globally. According to Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism's (DET) FDI Monitor, venture-capital-backed FDI surged by 39% in 2024, a strong indicator of international investor confidence and Dubai's maturing innovation infrastructure. Of these investments, 54% of all announced FDI projects incorporated High to Medium technology components. Dubai is making major investments in technology and AI, aiming to lead innovation and is building capacity to support the ecosystem, so much so that government services are fully embracing and incorporating it.
Express Tribune
06-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Dubai police honours Pakistani officers with global leadership diploma
Listen to article Senior officers from Pakistan's National Police have praised Dubai Police as a global standard for innovation and community-focused policing, highlighting its advanced integration of technology and citizen engagement. The commendation came during the Police Innovation and Leadership Diploma (PIL), a collaborative initiative between Dubai Police and the Rochester Institute of Technology. Colonels Kamran Ali and Umar Farooq, both participants in the programme, expressed admiration for Dubai Police's 'Smart. Secure. Together' approach, citing its use of artificial intelligence, proactive crime prevention, and community outreach. 'The Dubai Police model transcends geographical boundaries,' said Col. Kamran Ali. 'It serves as an international standard, inspiring nations like Pakistan to pursue significant policing reforms.' Dubai's blueprint for modern policing With decades of field experience, both officers plan to adapt Dubai's successful practices to Pakistan's unique policing challenges. They view the approach as a viable model for efficient, inclusive, and technology-driven law enforcement. 'Dubai Police demonstrates how technology can foster inclusivity, improve efficiency, and build public trust,' added Col. Ali. 'This represents the future of policing.' Col. Umar Farooq called the programme an investment in Pakistan's policing future, especially due to its focus on digital innovation and leadership. Tech-driven transformation Dubai Police's application of AI, digital integration, and smart platforms left a lasting impression. 'We operated within traditional frameworks for decades,' said Col. Ali. 'Dubai has shown how innovation can revolutionise both security and community engagement.' Farooq, with a background in electrical engineering, pointed to emerging technologies such as blockchain and machine learning as critical tools for transforming crime reporting and prediction systems. Well-being and leadership Both officers stressed the need for a holistic approach to policing, including mental and physical health support. Col. Ali, who commands 2,500 officers in Kashmir, shared that poetry offers him solace amid professional demands. 'This programme emphasised physical fitness and resilience—essential traits for law enforcement,' said Farooq.
