Dubai Reinforces Vision for Future Health Ecosystem as New Dubai Longevity Authority is Created to Unite Clinical Innovation, Ethical Standards, and Global Healthcare Partnerships Under One Regulatory Framework

Image generated with Ai

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. (17) of 2026,
establishing the Dubai Longevity Authority (DLA), a new entity that aims to develop the emirate
as the world’s leading hub for regulated longevity, wellness and advanced healthcare offerings,
and forge paths for investment flows in the sector.

According to Decree No. (14) of 2026, 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, will serve as President of DLA. His Excellency
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET),
has been appointed as its Chairman, according to Decree No. (15) of 2026.
Leveraging cutting-edge innovation, robust governance, and strategic partnerships, the
establishment of DLA will support the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and the Dubai Social
Agenda 33, which aim, respectively, to position Dubai among the top three cities globally for
quality of life and achieve a leading position in healthy life expectancy.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “The true wealth of nations
lies in their people, and our greatest investment has always been in their health, quality of life,
and ability to contribute, create and innovate. Our vision is for Dubai to be at the forefront of
shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing life sciences, biotechnology and medical
innovation to develop new solutions that enhance quality of life and advance human health. We
firmly believe that every scientific breakthrough should deliver tangible benefits to people’s lives,
and that serving humanity will always remain the ultimate purpose of every investment in
science, knowledge and innovation.”
“Our ambition is for Dubai to become the world’s leading hub for longevity, wellness and
advanced healthcare, and to set new global benchmarks in health and quality of life. Dubai will
continue to attract the world’s brightest minds across industries, fostering innovation and
nurturing top talent to advance medicine, wellness, and transformative life-enhancing
technologies,” His Highness added.

The DLA has been assigned the responsibility of creating and enforcing a science-based, risk-proportionate regulatory system dedicated to longevity-focused therapies and innovations. Under this framework, the authority will oversee and license all stages of the sector, including research and development, clinical trials, production processes, treatment delivery, and clinical practice within patient care facilities.

Developed in close coordination with major government stakeholders such as the Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Health, Dubai Municipality, and the Dubai Future Foundation, the DLA will operate in alignment with leading global benchmarks. This approach is designed to ensure strict compliance, operational excellence, and internationally recognised standards across the entire longevity and advanced healthcare ecosystem.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy
and Tourism (DET), said: “The Longevity, Wellness and Advanced Health Sector is one of the
fastest-growing economic frontiers in the world and we are positioning Dubai to capture the
possibilities it presents under the vision of our leadership to send a powerful message about the
emirate’s role in shaping the future of advanced healthcare.

“The establishment of the Dubai Longevity Authority will offer regulatory certainty across the
entire value chain, from R&D and clinical trials through to manufacturing, delivery, and patient
care. What we are building is a sophisticated, sovereign market for advanced therapeutic
products and services. It is one that will attract investment, industrial capability, and specialised
talent, and facilitate the real transfer of technology and business models into the economy. This
will not only support the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, but also allow Dubai to lead
the way in breakthrough therapies that extend lifespan and healthspan, ultimately improving
quality of life for all.”

The DLA will design and implement a forward-looking strategy focused on building a strong and integrated ecosystem. This system will bring together advanced therapies, preventive healthcare approaches, clinical innovations, ethical governance, and continuous scientific progress into a unified framework that supports long-term transformation in the sector.

A central pillar of this strategy will be the establishment of structured mechanisms that enable safe experimentation while ensuring scalability. These frameworks will be designed to balance innovation with regulatory responsibility, allowing new medical and clinical solutions to be developed and tested in a controlled and reliable environment.

The initiative will also place strong emphasis on global integration. By drawing on international expertise, proven best practices, and emerging scientific advancements, the DLA aims to attract, support, and invest in high-potential companies that can contribute to the advancement of healthcare innovation and industry growth.

In addition, the strategy will actively promote collaboration across borders through targeted events, strategic partnerships, and continuous industry dialogue. These efforts will help strengthen global cooperation, accelerate knowledge exchange, and position the ecosystem as a hub for transformative healthcare development.