Dubai’s RTA, DET issue new regulation to strengthen tourist transport sector
The regulation was issued under Administrative Decision No 97 of 2025, which implements Executive Council Resolution No 107 of 2023 governing tourist transport activity in Dubai
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has issued a new executive regulation governing tourist transport activity in the emirate.
The regulation, enacted under Administrative Decision No 97 of 2025 pursuant to Executive Council Resolution No. 107 of 2023, sets out detailed rules for the sector.
Authorities said the initiative is aimed at establishing an integrated tourist transport system that reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global destination.
Officials noted that the regulation seeks to enhance service quality, improve safety and comfort standards for tourists, and align operations with international best practices.
RTA said its entities are continuing to develop services that deliver effective solutions for the tourist transport sector, supporting Dubai’s wider economic and strategic objectives.
The new framework is expected to generate tangible benefits for companies and institutions operating in the industry.
RTA to now oversee issue, renewal of tourist transport permits
Under the system, RTA will be responsible for issuing and renewing permits for tourist transport establishments, registering and renewing tourist vehicles, and granting professional licences for tourist transport drivers.
Applications will be processed through RTA’s approved service channels and centres to ensure compliance with regulatory and supervisory requirements.
The first edition of WHX Tech, a pioneering platform dedicated to digital health innovation, officially opened today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, launching a three-day event set to redefine the global healthcare landscape. Backed by an impressive lineup of more than 200 expert speakers, 300 exhibitors, and a projected 5,000 international healthcare leaders, WHX Tech is positioning itself as the premier destination for exploring the convergence of technology and healthcare.
The event, running through September 10, marks a major milestone in the UAE’s strategic efforts to become a global hub for health innovation, aligning closely with national directives to embrace next-generation healthcare technologies.
The event was formally inaugurated by Dr Alawi AlSheikh-Ali, director general of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). In his opening remarks, Dr AlSheikh-Ali underscored the significance of WHX Tech in reflecting the accelerated evolution of digital health technologies and the expanding role they play in shaping the future of patient care.
Image credit: Supplied
“The first edition of WHX Tech reflects the rapid advancement of digital health technologies and their growing importance in shaping the future of the healthcare sector,” said Dr AlSheikh-Ali.
“The solutions being presented over the next three days will enhance healthcare services and improve patient outcomes.”
He also emphasised that this progress is firmly in line with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and with the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. Their combined leadership, Dr AlSheikh-Ali noted, is instrumental in cementing Dubai’s position on the global map as a center for innovation and excellence in health technologies.
AI and humanity: Defining the future of healthcare
A standout moment from the opening session came from Dr Amin Al Ameeri, assistant undersecretary of the Health Regulations Sector at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention. Addressing a standing-room-only audience, Dr Al Ameeri posed a powerful question from the World X stage:
“Will humans or AI dictate the direction of future healthcare?”
After a brief pause, he provided a decisive answer that set the tone for the rest of the event:
“We say it’s the human being – the human being is the one to lead AI.”
Image credit: Supplied
His comments reflected a deeply human-centric approach to innovation, reinforcing Dubai’s commitment to fostering an environment where technology serves people, not the other way around.
“In Dubai, we value human beings, their brains, their ideas, and innovations. What we need from you then is to bring all your beautiful ideas, all your innovations, all your technologies, to us. Our DNA is to adopt and host these new technologies together for the future of health and humanity.”
Regulatory reform and pharma innovation take the stage
In another keynote session, Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, director general at the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), highlighted the remarkable strides made by the UAE’s regulatory landscape. Established less than two years ago, the EDE has already played a transformative role in accelerating access to innovative medicines.
Dr Al Kaabi shared that 23 innovative medicines have already been approved in 2025 alone, thanks to the fast-track mechanisms introduced by the EDE.
“In just two years, we’ve made major progress. We launched the National List of Essential Medicines, signed mutual recognition agreements for GMP certifications, and deepened partnerships with global regulators,” she said.
These efforts, she added, are enabling more reliable and diverse access to critical medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The EDE is not only supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing but is also actively attracting global companies to establish advanced production facilities within the UAE.
“With upgraded GMP standards and world-class infrastructure, the UAE is fast becoming a regional hub for high-value pharmaceutical production and export.”
Digitisation, she emphasised, will continue to enhance regulatory agility, enabling faster approvals, more transparent processes, and a stronger ecosystem for biotech and life sciences innovation.
Image credit: Supplied
HIMSS: Tackling chronic disease and aging with tech
The evolving healthcare landscape was also explored by Harold ‘Hal’ Wolf, president and CEO of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), a strategic partner of WHX Tech.
Wolf focused on the global burden of chronic disease, particularly in regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where demographic shifts and improving diagnostics are leading to higher reported incidences.
“There’s nothing unique about the challenges here in the Middle East and in North Africa. The numbers are high for two reasons,” he said. “First, we have an aging population, that’s a good thing, but the longer people live, the higher the propensity for chronic disease. Second, our ability on a prevention level to understand and diagnose chronic disease continues to improve.”
Wolf pointed out that while these statistics may seem daunting, the growing use of AI and digital technologies presents a path forward.
“AI and other technology tools [can help] give us the knowledge and operational leads we need to be successful.”
Image credit: Supplied
World Economic Forum: MENA leads in digital health growth
In a dedicated session titled “Transforming Healthcare Access and Efficiency through Digital Innovation,” Shyam Bishen, Head of the Centre for Health and Healthcare at the World Economic Forum, identified the MENA region as the world’s fastest-growing digital health market.
Bishen cited several key factors driving this growth, including strong government backing, robust public investment, and a strategic focus on AI, data infrastructure, and digital architecture.
“The MENA region is the world’s fastest-growing digital health market, with many unique strengths across various sectors, especially in digital health,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of a collaborative ecosystem mindset to ensure lasting impact.
“Achieving real progress in digital, data, and AI-driven healthcare to improve outcomes requires an ecosystem mindset. No single entity can drive the digital health renaissance alone.”
“A strong ecosystem can tackle deeply rooted problems and scale solutions more effectively than individual digital initiatives.”
WHX Tech: A strategic launch for Dubai
Peter Hall, president for IMEA at Informa Markets, reflected on Dubai’s unique value as the host city for WHX Tech’s inaugural edition.
“There is no better place to host this event than Dubai,” said Hall. “It is a city that embodies innovation, ambition, and progress, values perfectly aligned with the mission of WHX Tech.”
He noted that the event’s focus on thought leadership, networking, and global collaboration would serve as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue and action.
“This event is a call to action, providing a space where global stakeholders can come together to discuss, debate, and solve complex issues in healthcare and technology.”
The strategic partnership with HIMSS further reinforces WHX Tech’s role as a credible platform aligned with the sector’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
WHX Tech continues through September 10 at Dubai World Trade Centre. To learn more or to register interest, visit the link here.
In a world increasingly shaped by technology, the UAE has made significant strides in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to redefine the future of healthcare. Guided by a bold national vision and cohesive leadership, the UAE has not only exceeded regional expectations but is setting new international benchmarks in digital health innovation.
“Let me begin by highlighting the remarkable achievements the UAE has made in the fields of healthcare and artificial intelligence,” said Dr Amin Al Ameeri, assistant undersecretary for the Health Regulation Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), during his welcome address at WHX Tech 2025. “What we are accomplishing goes far beyond the expectations of many nations. Guided by our visionary leadership, we continuously strive to be number one.”
At the heart of this transformation is a deeply integrated healthcare model. The UAE functions as a unified health ecosystem, encompassing the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH), Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Sharjah Health Authority, and other local entities, all coordinated under MoHAP. National strategies are never issued in silos; instead, they emerge from broad consultation across government and private stakeholders, aligning every major decision with the needs of the entire sector.
Strategic milestones in the UAE’s health-AI journey
Nationwide health data integration:Riayah, NABIDH, and Malaffi platforms now form a connected national health information infrastructure.
AI-enabled disease prediction and prevention: Public health is increasingly proactive, using AI for trend forecasting and population risk modeling.
Organ donation innovation: The Hayat platform leads the region in deceased donor registrations and is now AI-powered for equitable organ matching.
Next-gen diagnostics:BioSign delivers accurate, point-of-care results in seconds, using AI and a few drops of blood.
Security and trust by design: AI systems like NABIDH’s privacy intelligence protect over 9 million health records in real time.
Building bridges with data: The power of Riayah
A central pillar of the UAE’s digital health strategy is Riayah, a national health data platform that unifies medical records across the country. Aptly named (Riayah translates to “care”), the platform integrates data from MoHAP, DHA, and DoH, allowing healthcare professionals to access a patient’s full medical history, regardless of location.
“With Riayah, every patient has a single, unified file accessible throughout the UAE,” explained Dr Al Ameeri. “A patient can move from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai, and physicians can securely access their full medical history, with patient consent.”
The result is a seamless healthcare experience: reduced diagnostic duplication, faster care delivery, and improved safety, especially in emergency cases. “If a patient is unconscious, doctors can access their records, avoid contraindications, and provide safer, faster care,” Dr Al Ameeri added. “Time saved is lives saved. That’s the real impact of this platform.”
More importantly, Riayah is the data backbone for national AI applications. With high-quality, unified datasets in place, AI algorithms can deliver more accurate insights, enhancing care quality and efficiency. “If the data isn’t accurate or complete, the AI’s recommendations will be flawed. That’s why we’ve invested in ensuring data integrity,” Dr Al Ameeri emphasised.
AI models built on Riayah are now being used to predict health trends, prevent disease outbreaks, and improve overall outcomes for both Emiratis and residents.
Hayat: A smart leap forward in organ transplants
In another landmark initiative, the UAE introduced Hayat, a smart platform for organ donation and transplant management. Launched on January 27, 2020, under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Hayat allows any UAE resident to register as an organ donor in under a minute.
Since its inception, the platform has driven measurable success:
11.6 deceased donors per million population
8 heart transplants performed
Hundreds of kidney, liver, and lung transplants completed
This puts the UAE at the forefront of organ transplant coordination in the Middle East.
The next frontier for Hayat is AI integration. AI will assist in matching donor organs to the most critical and compatible patients, regardless of nationality, ensuring that transplant decisions are guided solely by medical need and urgency. This system not only accelerates time-sensitive decisions but enhances fairness and transparency.
BioSign and the rise of AI-driven diagnostics
The UAE is also making headlines with BioSign, an AI-powered biometric health system unveiled in February 2025 and currently in its final trial phase. This system uses just a few drops of blood to deliver lab-grade diagnostic insights, including Hemoglobin A1c and cholesterol levels, with over 94 per cent accuracy in under 50 seconds.
Expected to be fully launched by the end of 2025, BioSign is a game-changer for real-time diagnostics, especially in remote or high-volume care settings.
In parallel, AI is being used for strategic planning, helping identify where more hospitals or specialty services are needed. MoHAP is also rolling out a unified physician licensing system, allowing doctors registered in one emirate to practice across the country, further enhancing workforce flexibility.
AI isn’t just about care delivery, it’s also about governance and benchmarking. The UAE is aligning its regulations with those of global health agencies such as WHO, FDA, EMA, NHRA, and Australia’s TGA, ensuring global interoperability and compliance.
National achievements in 2025: A banner year for AI in healthcare
The year 2025 has already marked a series of landmark achievements in the UAE’s AI healthcare journey, as outlined by global AI health advisor Dr Harvey Castro, MD, advisor on AI and healthcare to the Singapore Government in an interview with Gulf Business:
Nationwide AI-ready health data infrastructure: The UAE finalised the deep integration of Riayati, Malaffi, and NABIDH, enabling clinicians across the country to access and analyze patient data at scale.
Real-time privacy intelligence: In April 2025, DHA integrated AI into NABIDH to monitor data access patterns and safeguard over 9 million records, a first-of-its-kind implementation in the region.
Precision and preventive AI at scale: Abu Dhabi’s Malaffi reached 3.5 billion clinical records across 12.7 million unique patients, offering rich data for AI-driven risk modeling, pharmacogenomics, and radiology.
AI for Medical Imaging: M42’s AIRIS-TB platform published one of the world’s largest real-world AI studies for tuberculosis, analysing over 1 million chest X-rays with an AUC of 98.5 per cent, safely automating 80 per cent of readings with zero false negatives.
Clinical LLM deployment: Med42-v2.0, a UAE-developed large language model for healthcare, demonstrated 87.3 per cent performance on USMLE-style questions, outperforming GPT-3.5 and logging over 8,200 downloads, evidence of rapid uptake.
Operational AI in patient access: In April 2025, DHA deployed NLP-powered analytics in its contact center, applying speech and text recognition to enhance service quality and responsiveness.
MoHAP’s role: Orchestrating the national AI strategy
MoHAP plays a central role in mainstreaming AI across the healthcare ecosystem. Its Artificial Intelligence Office is driving the adoption of advanced AI technologies, including natural language processing (NLP), generative AI, and computer vision, on platforms like SAS Viya, ensuring alignment with both clinical priorities and national quality standards.
Interoperability has also been a MoHAP-led priority. By coordinating the integration of Riayati with Malaffi and NABIDH through FHIR-based architecture, MoHAP has established a safe and standardised foundation for AI deployment.
Through platforms like Enayati, MoHAP is using AI to track health indicators and predict risks for vulnerable populations. It also supports capacity building by working with emirate authorities and global partners to scale validated AI pilots and equip the workforce with the right digital skills.
People first: The UAE’s guiding principle
Despite rapid digitisation, the UAE’s approach remains unapologetically human-centric.
“The UAE is not just adopting AI, we are shaping the future of how AI will serve humanity in health,” said Dr Al Ameeri. “We are committed to using technology not just to treat, but to predict, prevent, and protect. The human being is at the center of everything we do.”
With a clear national vision, advanced digital infrastructure, and a commitment to ethical AI, the UAE has transitioned from health system modernisation to global leadership in AI-powered healthcare.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed and is developing 103 kilometres of internal roads across eight residential and industrial areas, including Al Khawaneej 2, Jebel Ali Industrial Area 1, Nad Al Sheba, Al Awir, Wadi Al Amardi and Al Warqa’a.
Mattar Al Tayer, DG and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the projects align with leadership directives to expand infrastructure in line with Dubai’s urban growth.
The roads include provisions for lighting, stormwater drainage, cycling tracks, and parking to improve mobility and safety.
RTA roadworks: Completed projects
In Al Khawaneej 2 (Tolerance District), RTA built six kilometres of internal roads, 765 parking spaces, 178 lighting poles, and a cycling track.
In Jebel Ali Industrial Area 1, the authority constructed and maintained 27 kilometres of roads, delivered seven new roundabouts, converted a roundabout into a signalised junction, and installed 42 kilometres of road lighting.
The upgrades are designed to improve flow and raise road capacity to 3,000 vehicles per hour per road.
In Al Awir 1, RTA is building 16.5 kilometres of internal roads, including a 7.5-kilometre road linking Emirates Road with the area.
The project, which includes a new four-kilometre lane on Emirates Road, is expected to double road capacity to 3,000 vehicles per hour and finish in Q2 2026.
Works in Nad Al Sheba 1, 3 and 4 span 32 kilometres of new and upgraded roads, cycling tracks, landscaping, and parking near community facilities. Nad Al Sheba 1 is due to finish by end-2025, while Nad Al Sheba 3 and 4 will be completed in Q1 2027.
In Al Warqa’a, RTA is building new entry and exit points from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and upgrading Al Warqa’a 1 Street.
The project, serving 350,000 residents, is expected to cut travel times by 80 per cent and be completed by end-2025.
In Wadi Al Amardi, RTA is constructing 15 kilometres of new roads, including a four-kilometre expansion of Tripoli Street, 11 kilometres of internal roads, 405 lighting poles, and 1,000 parking spaces.
The works will serve 30,000 residents and are scheduled for completion in Q3 2026.
Al Tayer said the projects aim to meet increasing traffic volumes and improve residents’ quality of life, adding that enhanced mobility and road capacity would support population growth and economic activity in the emirate.
Dubai Municipality has unveiled Hatta’s first sand equestrian track, offering horse riders an immersive experience amid the region’s scenic mountainous terrain. The first phase of the project stretches 2.54 kilometres in length and three metres in width, designed to provide a safe, adventurous, and high-quality riding environment for equestrian enthusiasts, amateurs, and visitors alike.
The new track reinforces Hatta’s position as a premier tourism and leisure destination. Developed under the initiatives of the Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta, the project aligns with the comprehensive regional development plan and supports Dubai’s broader vision to enhance tourism, trade, and the economy while providing world-class recreational and sports facilities.
Economic opportunities
Beyond its recreational appeal, the track is expected to catalyse new investments and stimulate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises across sectors such as equestrian sports, retail, hospitality, and tourism. By attracting visitors seeking authentic and adventurous experiences, the project aims to boost Hatta’s local economy and support the aspirations of its residents.
A destination for horse lovers
Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said: “The sand equestrian track in Hatta has been developed to international standards, providing horse riders with a safe and distinctive way to experience the region’s unique mountainous landscape. We are working to establish Hatta as a preferred destination for equestrian enthusiasts in Dubai, while preserving the heritage of horsemanship, which reflects Emirati identity and forms an integral part of our national heritage. At the same time, the track creates new economic opportunities that will benefit the local community and further strengthen Hatta’s position as one of the UAE’s most scenic and promising tourism destinations.”
The trail caters to both amateur and professional riders, offering a secure and enjoyable environment to explore horseback riding against panoramic mountain views. Visitors can ride hired horses or bring their own to navigate the natural surroundings.
Constructed to the highest international safety and quality standards, the sand track marks a significant milestone in Dubai Municipality’s efforts to diversify leisure options, enhance quality of life, and position Dubai as a global hub for tourism, recreation, and lifestyle excellence.
UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant marks first year of full-fleet operations
The facility has also fostered a highly skilled Emirati-led workforce, with over 2,000 UAE nationals contributing to its development and operations alongside international experts
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) marked one year on Monday since the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant achieved full-fleet operations, generating a total of 120 terawatt-hours (TWh) of clean electricity to date.
All four APR1400 reactor units at Barakah now supply 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs, making the plant the largest source of clean power in the region and significantly boosting national energy security.
Over the past 12 months, the facility has delivered 40TWh of electricity, reliably powering homes, industries, and the nation’s technology sectors.
The plant’s output has prevented 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, and more than 58 million metric tonnes since Unit 1 began operations – equivalent to removing around 12 million cars from UAE roads.
Barakah also contributes to the UAE’s energy transition, with 75 per cent of the country’s additional clean electricity per capita over the past five years produced by the plant.
Barakah: A milestone year for operations
Mohamed Al Hammadi, MD and CEO of ENEC, said: “One year into full operations, Barakah Plant is delivering on its promise – clean, dependable power, around the clock. The achievement is due to a long-term vision, sustained investment, and a focus on high-quality execution at every stage. We’re incredibly proud of what Barakah represents for the UAE and for the global civil nuclear sector.”
Barakah supports decarbonisation efforts for UAE companies, with 85 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Certificates backed by the plant’s output. Major purchasers include ADNOC, EMSTEEL, and EGA, which recently delivered low-carbon aluminum under its MinimAL initiative.
Internationally recognised as a model for safe and efficient nuclear energy delivery, Barakah reduced cost, time, and labour by 40 per cent between Units 1 and 4, with an average delivery time of 7.9 years per reactor.
Construction began in July 2012, and with Unit 4 starting in 2015, the site became the world’s largest nuclear construction project with four identical reactors built simultaneously.
Unit 4 completed construction in December 2023 and began operations in September 2024.
The plant was developed in partnership with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) under the oversight of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and in line with IAEA and WANO standards.
The facility has also fostered a highly skilled Emirati-led workforce, with over 2,000 UAE nationals contributing to its development and operations alongside international experts.
