Dubai Unveils ‘Design Sector Strategy 2033’ to Boost Global Competitiveness and Innovation

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has sanctioned the visionary Design Sector Strategy 2033 – a transformative plan for turning Dubai into the global capital of design excellence. The strategy supports Dubai’s broader goal in the context of creativity, innovation, and sustainability, benchmarked to propel growth through the emirate’s design sectors; reinforce international reputation; and offer support for a thriving ecosystem for designers and creatives.

The strategy will seek to position Dubai as a place of visionary design directions and a Launchpad for the world’s talent, further cementing its status as the emirate that best embodies this philosophy. This plan includes not only ambitious targets to double design education enrollments by 2033 but also assist 500 design businesses, incubate more than 100 new startups, and host over 100 local and international events on design in Dubai. During the next decade, a target of four million visitors is seen to be attracted to Dubai’s exhibitions and showcases.

Her remarks included that the strategy reflects the true determination of Dubai to create an environment that fosters creativity, nurtures innovation, and tackles regulatory challenges. “The ‘Design Sector Strategy 2033’ will strengthen Dubai’s competitiveness, supporting new business ventures and showcasing the unique perspectives of designers who contribute to a sustainable creative economy,” she said.

The plan will further expand Dubai’s design education sector and present new opportunities to over 25,000 students in all design fields. It also envisions a support system capable of bolstering the growth of design entrepreneurs by granting access to capital, collaboration, and next-generation technologies. It would place the Design Sector Strategy 2033 as a building block meant to improve Dubai’s standing as a preeminent destination for creativity and design innovation since it has already gained recognition as the first city in the Middle East for its involvement as a City of Design with the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

The announcement of this strategy coincides with the 10th edition of Dubai Design Week, a leading event held in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3) and Dubai Culture, to take Dubai’s position as a hub for design and cultural exchange to new heights.