Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Announces AED 2.1 Trillion in Ongoing Development Projects Across Dubai

Dubai, The Gulf Observer: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai, has announced that the emirate currently has projects worth nearly AED 2.1 trillion underway across housing, transportation, aviation, infrastructure and economic development, with further projects expected to be announced in the coming phase.

His Highness made these remarks at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, the premier annual gathering dedicated to management and leadership, which commenced on Tuesday at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The forum brought together 1,000 senior leaders from the government and private sectors, alongside experts, decision-makers and academics.

The event was attended by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

Other prominent attendees included H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee; H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; and Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of The Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development.

“Dubai is building a city within a city. Today we have AED 2.1 trillion in active projects underway, with more to be announced in the coming phase,” Sheikh Mohammed said, highlighting the emirate’s continued momentum in development and investment.

He described the current period as an exceptional opportunity for growth, stressing that substantial investments in housing, transportation and infrastructure would prepare Dubai for a new phase of economic expansion.

His Highness added that the emirate was building the infrastructure of tomorrow by expanding its capacity to accommodate population growth, business expansion and the development of economic sectors. He emphasised that the objective was to ensure Dubai remained prepared for future growth while maintaining the highest standards of living, working and investment.

“Cities that aspire for progress act before others,” Sheikh Mohammed said, underlining the importance of leadership capable of anticipating changing dynamics, making timely decisions and transforming ideas into practical projects that deliver tangible benefits to society.

Dubai’s extensive portfolio of ongoing projects covers housing, transportation, aviation, infrastructure, economic zones, real estate, water and electricity networks, sewerage systems and landscaping. The projects are designed to meet the requirements of the emirate’s rapid growth and strengthen its capacity for long-term expansion.

Among the major initiatives, AED 1.1 trillion has been allocated to real estate projects through 2030. In the aviation sector, AED 128 billion is earmarked for Al Maktoum International Airport, which is designed to accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually over the next decade.

An additional AED 328 billion is dedicated to expanding the fleets of Emirates and flydubai, while AED 18.7 billion has been allocated for a new Emirates engineering and maintenance complex.

The development programme also includes more than AED 100 billion for Phase Two of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), alongside AED 100 billion for road upgrades and the development of the Dubai Metro Blue and Gold lines.

Furthermore, AED 10 billion has been allocated to expand the Dubai Exhibition Centre, AED 80 billion for the Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels system and AED 30 billion for the Tasreef rainwater drainage project.

Investments also include AED 151 billion for new electricity and water grid infrastructure and AED 4 billion for the emirate’s Blue and Green Spaces Roadmap, aimed at supporting sustainable urban development.

In the housing sector, Dubai plans to deliver approximately 350,000 residential units in line with its urban and economic growth, accompanied by the expansion of transportation and infrastructure networks.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum reflects Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of establishing a world-class leadership ecosystem that shapes the future, creates opportunities and strengthens institutional performance. The initiative also seeks to formalise his leadership and management philosophy into an operational framework for adoption across Dubai’s government entities.

The forum aims to promote leadership and management best practices, encourage the exchange of knowledge and experience, and explore approaches to improving institutional performance. It also showcases future initiatives and highlights Dubai’s development vision and strategic direction.

By placing leaders from different entities and sectors at the centre of global developments, the forum seeks to encourage collective strategic thinking, strengthen decision-making and promote innovative leadership models capable of translating ambitious plans into measurable outcomes.