The UAE is set to launch UAE Innovates 2025, a nationwide initiative celebrating ten years of innovation under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, highlighted that the UAE has successfully transformed innovation from a conceptual idea into practical applications. These advancements have led to increased government efficiency, enhanced global competitiveness, and improved quality of life while promoting active participation from the private sector and the community in developing innovative solutions.

The event, themed “The Power of 10 – Where Does Your Strength Lie?” starts tomorrow, Saturday, and aims to engage all segments of society. Over the past decade, the UAE Innovates initiative has been vital in generating groundbreaking ideas and projects that improve quality of life. This year’s edition aligns with the leadership’s vision for 2025, designated as the “Year of Community,” which emphasizes placing people at the forefront of advancements across various sectors, as noted by Al Gergawi.

“UAE Innovates 2025” will take place throughout February across all seven emirates, featuring hundreds of innovative activities and culminating in Dubai with the UAE Innovates Exhibition. This exhibition will showcase innovations that have significantly impacted government operations and society over the last decade. Huda Al Hashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs, stated that UAE Innovation Month has served as an open platform for ten years, cultivating a culture of innovation in both government and society.

Al Hashimi further explained that this year holds particular importance as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI). Since its establishment in 2015, the center has laid the groundwork for an advanced culture of government work, utilizing innovation to promote comprehensive transformation and development in government services.

The theme “The Power of 10 – Where Does Your Strength Lie?” reflects the UAE government’s commitment to sustaining and advancing innovation across all sectors. Al Hashimi encouraged government entities and the private sector to actively participate in celebrating innovation and its vital role in shaping the future.

The event will feature the “UAE Innovates 2025” Exhibition at The Boulevard at Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai, which will be the largest exhibition to date. It will display projects from federal and local government entities that have exemplified the power of innovation over the past ten years, while also celebrating impactful models and experiences that have benefited UAE society.

Additionally, the fifth edition of the “UAE Innovates” Awards will be launched, honoring winning projects during the closing ceremony of “UAE Innovates 2025.” Award categories will include Most Innovative Use of Resources, Most Innovative Digital Transformation, Most Innovative Government Process, Most Innovative Disruptive Project, and Most Innovative Project in Sustainability, alongside a category for Most Impactful Social Innovation.

This year’s initiative coincides with the declaration of 2025 as the “Year of Community” in the UAE, with the evaluation and selection of winning projects focusing on their societal impact. In collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund, MBRCGI will also organize the sixth edition of the Pitch@Gov Program, which will emphasize “Renewable Energy for a Better Life.”

This edition will feature the highest financial support yet for projects since the program’s inception, offering a total of AED200,000 to four winning projects. The prize distribution includes AED80,000 for first place, AED60,000 for second place, and AED40,000 for third place, along with a special prize of AED20,000 for categories such as Best Sustainable Design and Most Impactful Solution for Society.

The closing ceremony of “UAE Innovates 2025” is scheduled for 26th February, where winners of the UAE Innovates Awards will be honored alongside partners and contributors to the success of UAE Innovation Month. Since its launch in 2015 as UAE Innovation Week, the event has transformed into a critical initiative for fostering an innovation culture within the UAE community, engaging over 1.5 million participants and hosting more than 8,000 events across its nine editions.