UN agency awards gold certification to Dubai for sustainable urban plan

This coincides with review of Dubai’s progress on UN SDGs, a first in the region

- BY JUSTIN VARGHESE

Dubai has been awarded Gold Certification by the UN-Habitat SDG Cities Programme, marking a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to advance sustainable and inclusive urban development.

The recognition was announced during the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum 2025, hosted at Expo Dubai, and coincided with the launch of Dubai’s Voluntary Local Review (VLR) — the first of its kind in the region.

The award underscores Dubai’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and highlights its success in building a forward-looking, human-centred development model that prioritises innovation, sustainability, and social wellbeing.

What is VLR?