Dubai has formally launched a Succession Planning System for its government workforce, marking a significant step in the emirate's long-term public sector strategy. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council — approved the measures through Executive Council Resolution No. (81) of 2024.
The resolution came into effect upon publication in the Official Gazette and applies across all Dubai government entities.
What Dubai's Succession Planning System Covers
The primary objective of the new system is to develop competent individuals — particularly employees with outstanding performance records — for top governmental positions within their departments.
As stated in the resolution, the system is designed to "strengthen corporate risk management, ensure business continuity, and identify the key positions that are critical to achieving departmental goals and maintaining smooth operations."
The Succession Planning System establishes unified procedures, timelines, and templates to be developed and distributed by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR), which will also monitor compliance across all entities.
Who Is Eligible Under Resolution No. 81 of 2024
The system's provisions apply to all Emirati civilian employees of Dubai government entities. The following categories are explicitly excluded:
- Employees on temporary contracts - Employees on special contracts - Seconded employees - Retirees appointed within government entities
Each government department can nominate employees for succession planning, provided nominations align with the entity's strategic and operational requirements and conform to Emiratisation policies.
Role of the DGHR in Implementation
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department carries the central responsibility for rolling out the succession system. Its duties include:
- Developing and approving a guide to procedures, timelines, and templates required for implementation - Updating and distributing the guide to government entities - Monitoring entity performance and compliance with the new system - Regularly reviewing provisions and recommending amendments as necessary to the Executive Council
Nominations are made by the employee's department, in coordination with unit heads and — importantly — with the employee's consent, ensuring a transparent and voluntary process.
Building a Stable Government Workforce Roadmap
With the Succession Planning System now in force, Dubai aims to build a stable and capable government workforce capable of long-term continuity in public sector leadership. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure operational readiness across the emirate's governmental structure, reduce dependency risks in critical roles, and cultivate the next generation of senior public servants from within the existing talent pool.
The move reflects Dubai's ongoing commitment to Emiratisation — integrating and advancing UAE nationals within the government — while reinforcing the resilience and sustainability of its institutions.
