Dubai Culture & Arts Authority Receives Prestigious 6-Star Award
Recognition at the International Best Practice Competition 2025
On October 20, 2025, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority achieved remarkable accolades by securing a 6-star rating—designated as ‘Outstanding at an International Level’—during the International Best Practice Competition 2025. This notable event, organized by the Centre for Organisational Excellence Research (COER) in partnership with Global Excellence Networks, honored Dubai Culture for its innovative Digital Transformation Platform and the AI for Optimising Cybersecurity (SOAR) initiative.
Innovative Strategies and Meaningful Results
The award celebrates groundbreaking strategies not only in operations and administration but also in systems that yield significant outcomes across various sectors. Dubai Culture’s commitment to excellence was particularly highlighted through its AI for Cybersecurity Enhancement program. This initiative has effectively integrated advanced artificial intelligence applications to bolster the authority’s cybersecurity framework. As a direct result, the authority has successfully achieved zero security breaches and saved over 14,688 working hours.
The Impact of the Digital Transformation Platform
In 2022, Dubai Culture launched its Digital Transformation Platform as part of a broader agenda aimed at enhancing the city’s digital capabilities. This platform unifies internal operations into a cohesive smart ecosystem, enriched with state-of-the-art AI tools. The implementation of this system has resulted in an impressive savings of more than 227,000 working hours annually. The combined effect has led to increased operational efficiency, reduced timelines for various projects, and strengthened governance and performance monitoring.
Moreover, the establishment of a centralized, data-driven environment has created an engaging workspace for staff, fostering continuous service evolution that aligns with global best practices.
Commitment to Dubai’s Digital Strategy
Dubai Culture’s accolades underscore its dedication to adopting forward-looking initiatives and its strategic use of artificial intelligence across pivotal sectors. This commitment aligns closely with the city’s digital strategy and reinforces Dubai’s ongoing transformation journey into a modern and innovative metropolis.
Mansoor Lootah, the CEO of the Corporate Enablement Sector and Chief AI Officer at Dubai Culture, emphasized the importance of these accolades. He noted that they reflect the authority’s success in meeting government standards concerning data efficiency, process automation, and the adoption of smart tools. This recognition not only enhances Dubai Culture’s standing but also demonstrates the strength of its systems and its focus on fostering creativity and excellence within the arts and culture sector.
Diverse Participation in the Competition
The International Best Practice Competition saw participation from a variety of organizations, including government bodies, private enterprises, and non-profit organizations across sectors such as culture, healthcare, education, energy, transport, and finance. The diverse representation included participants from over 14 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, Eswatini, Costa Rica, Spain, and New Zealand.
Each submission was meticulously evaluated by an international panel of experts through a rigorous process, with awards ranging from one to seven stars based on clear objectives, measurable results, innovative approaches, and scalability potential.
Looking Forward
As Dubai Culture continues to excel in its initiatives, the recognition from this prestigious competition further solidifies the authority’s role as a pillar of innovation and excellence. This achievement not only boosts the institution’s reputation but also highlights its ongoing contribution to the cultural landscape of Dubai and beyond.
