Abu Dhabi: The UAE Government has honoured the winners of the UAE Innovates 2025 Award, marking the conclusion of the UAE Innovation Month, "UAE Innovates 2025," which was organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI) throughout February. Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, highlighted the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in pioneering innovative government practices.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative, themed 'Power of Innovation 10 - Where Does Your Strength Lie?', reflects a decade-long leadership vision, establishing innovation as both a government methodology and a cultural value. Huda Al Hashimi, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs, noted the UAE Innovates encourages collaboration across government, business, academia, and the community to promote innovation.
The UAE Innovates Award features six categories: Most Innovative Use of Resources, Most Innovative Digital Transformation, Most Innovative Government Process, Most Innovative Disruptive Project, Most Innovative Project in Sustainability, and a special award for Most Impactful Social Innovation. The Community Development Authority's Dubai Weddings project received the Most Impactful Social Innovation award for supporting Emirati couples with marriage costs, promoting family stability, and organising 344 weddings by the end of 2024.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's Digitally Optimised Substation project won in the Most Innovative Digital Transformation category, reducing energy wastage, carbon footprint, and operating costs. Fujairah Municipality's Green Geopolymer Concrete project, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete, was awarded Most Innovative Use of Resources.
In the Most Innovative Government Process category, Dubai Municipality's Montaji platform and the Ministry of Interior's Smart Driving Testing project were recognised for streamlining consumer product registration and improving driving test efficiency, respectively. The Most Innovative Project in Sustainability award went to the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure's Surface Temperature Monitoring Platform, developed with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre.
The Most Innovative Disruptive Project award was jointly given to Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre's Modular Villa Construction project and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security's Smart Travel System. The projects focus on reducing housing waiting times for Emiratis and streamlining travel procedures.
Launched in 2015 and expanded in 2017, UAE Innovates is the nation's largest event celebrating innovation in government and society.