Sheikh Mansoor Celebrates Visionary Achievements at 14th Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport
Under the patronage of the Crown Prince of Dubai, leaders across the Middle East and beyond were honoured for pioneering innovations in sustainable mobility, reflecting Dubai's commitment to reshaping the future of urban transport.
An extraordinary celebration of innovation and environmental stewardship unfolded at Dubai World Trade Centre as H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, conferred recognition upon the distinguished winners of the 14th Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport, an esteemed initiative conceived by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to champion the principles of sustainable mobility and inspire transformative solutions across the globe.
The magnitude of this year’s competition proved particularly remarkable, with the award attracting more than 750 applications representing a 400 per cent increase from previous iterations. Of these submissions, 158 applicants advanced to the final evaluation stage, a testament to the burgeoning international interest in sustainable transport solutions. The entries encompassed contributions from 45 entities spanning nine countries, alongside 460 individual participants from 22 nations, demonstrating the award’s expanding resonance as a catalyst for meaningful innovation across continents.
The proceedings encompassed a keynote address by Tony Seba, a distinguished entrepreneur and technology theorist, who illuminated the transformative forces reshaping global mobility. His discourse on the economics of disruption explored how accelerating technological advancement, particularly in artificial intelligence and autonomous electric vehicles, promises to fundamentally redefine transport systems through an emerging paradigm known as Transport-as-a-Service. Mr Seba positioned Dubai as a vanguard in harnessing these shifts, possessing the strategic acumen and forward-thinking vision to lead the world towards advanced mobility ecosystems.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, affirmed that the award embodies Dubai’s resolute commitment to positioning sustainability and innovation as fundamental drivers of transport advancement. He emphasised that the competing projects collectively demonstrated the transport sector’s rapid evolution, showcasing sophisticated applications of artificial intelligence, clean energy technologies, and scalable solutions that harmoniously integrate environmental stewardship with enhanced quality of life.
The Elite Award, the distinction’s most prestigious honour representing the highest level of achievement, was bestowed upon Greater Amman Municipality for its comprehensive Bus Rapid Transit initiative, a unified network of 193 buses traversing nine routes across 215 kilometres, serving over 73.9 million passengers and demonstrating profound commitment to inclusive, accessible transport for all citizens.
Additional categories recognised excellence across sustainability, clean energy, urban transformation, and inclusivity. Notably, the Integrated Transport Centre secured recognition for its Pioneering Sustainable Cities Award, whilst Etihad Rail received distinguished honours for its Modal Shift project connecting ports and commercial centres through high-capacity networks. The Clean Energy for Mobility Award recognised Keeta Drone’s delivery initiative, substantially reducing reliance on combustion-engine vehicles within urban environments.
In the student category, participants from Ajman University, Middlesex University Dubai, and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University received commendation for visionary projects ranging from smart solar pedestrian nodes to sensory transport preparation resources for children with autism and energy-generating infrastructure innovations.
The judging panel, chaired by Dr Yousef Mohammed Al Ali and comprising internationally recognised specialists from leading universities and professional institutions, evaluated submissions according to rigorous criteria encompassing sustainability impact, innovation, accessibility, and practical applicability.
Source: WAM