Dubai has become the first city in the Middle East and 24th in the world to be appointed a UNESCO Creative City of Design. During a press conference held on Sunday at the Youth Hub in the Emirates Towers, the UNESCO announced the selection of Dubai as the first Creative City of Design in the Middle East within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, UCCN.

The UCCN, founded in 2004, has currently 180 Members from 72 countries covering creative fields such as arts and crafts, design, film, literature, and media arts. It was created to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. The 180 cities work together towards a common objective: placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level.

"Yet another feather has been added to the cap of achievements of Dubai and we are grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who instilled the can-do spirit in us and inspired us to attain higher purposes for our city. Thanks to His Highness’s UAE Vision 2021, Dubai accelerates development for a bright and successful future," said Dawood Abdulrahman Al Hajiri, Director- General of Dubai Municipality.

He explained that the design is the process of finding creative solutions to problems in order to improve lives. "Design is beyond the product; rather it is the framework by which problems are solved. It puts people and their needs first to convert trash into energy, improve quality of life, increase sustainability and promote happiness," Al Hajiri added.

He went on to say that Dubai Municipality has had a long history with UNESCO to recognise Dubai Creek as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "Our Dubai city’s history with UNESCO reflects its deep rooted concern and commitment to culture and heritage. Dubai Municipality continues to reinforce the vision of its pioneering leadership and community who together have proven time and time again that they are up to spreading the greatness of Dubai across the globe. Our support of Dubai’s bid to be the first Creative City of Design in the Middle East highlights our commitment to positioning it in the forefront of success and innovation, just like we supported Dubai’s bid to host the first World Expo in the Middle East and North Africa and South Asia in 2020," Al Hajiri explained.

Praising the achievement, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of RTA, said that it marks the culmination of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid who has taken a proactive approach to innovation and creativity in Dubai's public and private sectors.