Sheikh Mohammed establishes Dubai Resilience Centre

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and the Ruler of Dubai, has issued Decree No (48) of 2024, establishing the Dubai Resilience Centre.

The new public entity is aimed at reinforcing Dubai’s status as one of the world’s most agile cities in managing risks, emergencies, crises, and disasters.

The decree, which comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the emirate’s crisis management capabilities, grants the Centre legal authority to implement the necessary actions and transactions to fulfill its mandate.

It will operate under the umbrella of the Dubai Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management.

The Dubai Resilience Centre’s mission is to make the city one of the world’s most resilient urban environments, capable of responding rapidly and effectively to various crises and emergencies. This includes ensuring that Dubai has the necessary measures in place to prevent and manage such events and recover swiftly if they occur.

According to the decree, the centre will also play a critical role in coordinating joint efforts to manage crises and disasters effectively, supporting the work of the Supreme Committee in its broader mandate.

Dubai Resilience Centre: Key responsibilities and strategic objectives

The centre’s responsibilities, as outlined in the decree, include the preparation and development of a comprehensive resilience plan for Dubai. This plan will involve the creation of policies, strategic procedures, and frameworks aimed at enhancing the city’s overall crisis resilience.

These initiatives will be coordinated with the Executive Committee of the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management and other relevant authorities before being submitted to The Executive Council of Dubai for approval.

Additionally, the Dubai Resilience Centre will oversee the measurement of performance indicators related to the implementation of approved plans, regularly submitting progress reports to the Supreme Committee.

As part of its strategic mandate, the centre will manage a central operations platform for crisis and disaster management. It will also establish online connectivity with local authorities, ensuring seamless coordination in times of emergency.

Furthermore, the centre is tasked with developing partnerships and cooperation agreements with specialised entities both regionally and internationally.

It will focus on data collection and analysis to support the development of plans and strategies to address risks, threats, and emergencies.

It will conduct studies and forecasts to inform decision-making and ensure that response strategies remain effective.

An additional focus will be on raising public awareness about crisis preparedness and the best practices for managing emergencies.

To enhance the city’s preparedness, the Dubai Resilience Centre will develop simulation exercises and scenario-based training for key stakeholders.

The outcomes of these exercises will be documented, and the lessons learned will be submitted to the Supreme Committee for approval.

Executive structure and cooperation

The decree establishes an executive structure for the Dubai Resilience Centre, which will be led by an executive director appointed by the chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

The director’s responsibilities will include proposing policies and strategic plans in line with Dubai’s broader objectives, overseeing their implementation, and ensuring effective performance measurement.

The centre will also coordinate with government and non-government entities in Dubai, which are required to cooperate fully with the Centre by providing necessary data, information, and resources to support its mission.

Decree No. (48) of 2024 also mandates that any conflicting provisions from previous legislation be annulled to ensure the smooth implementation of the centre’s objectives.

The decree will take effect immediately and will be published in the Official Gazette.