Dubai’s Data Portal Recognised for Excellence in Open Government Information

Digital Dubai's Data.Dubai platform has received the Distinguished Project Award at the seventh GCC Digital Government Award, reflecting the emirate's commitment to treating data as a strategic asset for economic and social progress.

The Data.Dubai portal, Digital Dubai’s unified official source for data and statistics on the emirate, has been recognised at the seventh GCC Digital Government Award for its achievements in the Best Open Data Initiative category. The award was presented at a ceremony organised by Bahrain’s Information and eGovernment Authority, acknowledging Dubai’s progress in developing an integrated government data ecosystem that serves as a foundation for evidence-based governance and economic advancement.

Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment at Digital Dubai, received the accolade on behalf of the organisation. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, emphasised that the recognition reflects Dubai’s strategic approach to data governance and its role in supporting economic competitiveness and quality of life. He noted that as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integral to government operations, the availability of reliable, high-quality data has become essential to building more efficient institutions and fostering competitive economies.

The Data.Dubai platform functions as a comprehensive ecosystem for accessing official emirate data and statistics, enabling government entities, businesses, researchers and innovators to analyse information, support planning initiatives and develop digital products and services. As we reported when Crown Prince Hamdan outlined Dubai’s future growth strategy, the emirate’s digital innovation framework underpins broader ambitions for urban development and citizen wellbeing.

Al Mansoori described data as a key enabler of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, noting that the award reflects the integration and cooperation among Dubai Government entities in advancing the emirate’s data ecosystem. Al Nasser emphasised that the portal supports the development of an integrated and trusted ecosystem grounded in data quality, governance and accessibility, allowing stakeholders to transform data into knowledge and identify new economic opportunities. The platform also promotes the wider adoption of open data across sectors and communities.

The GCC Digital Government Award celebrates innovation and excellence in digital government across member states, fostering the exchange of expertise and successful practices throughout the region. This recognition underscores Dubai’s position as a leader in leveraging data infrastructure to support informed decision-making and sustainable economic development.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

Dubai’s achievement in data governance offers valuable insights for the broader UAE ecosystem. As digital innovation becomes central to national economic competitiveness, exemplars of integrated data platforms and open government information strengthen the federation’s collective capacity for evidence-based policymaking and service delivery across all sectors.

The recognition also reflects the emirates’ shared commitment to regional digital leadership. As the GCC Digital Government Award programme demonstrates, advances in data infrastructure and open information initiatives create momentum for similar excellence across the Gulf, establishing standards that benefit all member states and their citizens through improved government services and economic opportunities.

Source: WAM (UAE News Agency) Digital Dubai wins Best Open Data Initiative at 7th GCC Digital Government Award