Dubai retains title of World’s Cleanest City for sixth consecutive year

UAE – Dubai has retained its position as the world’s cleanest city for the sixth consecutive year, according to the Global Power City Index published by the Mori Memorial Foundation.

The achievement underscores the emirate’s sustained commitment to environmental sustainability, urban excellence, and quality of life.

Dubai achieved a 100% satisfaction score in the city cleanliness indicator under the Environment pillar of the Global Power City Index, outperforming major global cities evaluated across a range of urban performance measures.

The index assesses cities based on six key functions: quality of life, environment, economy, research and development, cultural interaction, and accessibility, using more than 70 international indicators.

The recognition reflects ongoing efforts by Dubai Municipality to maintain high public health and environmental standards while supporting sustainable urban growth.

Authorities attribute the success to integrated cleanliness operations, sustainable city planning, and the continuous development of public spaces including parks, beaches, and community facilities.

Dubai’s urban cleanliness initiatives are aligned with the emirate’s long-term sustainability roadmap, including the Dubai Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2041.

The strategy aims to reduce waste generation at source, divert 100% of waste from landfills, and accelerate the transition toward a circular economy through advanced recycling and resource recovery systems.

Commenting on the milestone, Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said the recognition reflects the city’s strong institutional framework and collaboration between government, private sector stakeholders, and residents.

“Dubai’s continued global leadership as the world’s cleanest city reflects a clear vision supported by sustained institutional efforts and strong partnership between government entities, the private sector, and the community,” he said.

“Cleanliness in Dubai is not only an operational outcome but an established urban culture that enhances quality of life and reinforces Dubai’s position as one of the most sustainable and liveable cities globally.”

Dubai Municipality maintains a comprehensive sanitation system operating around the clock. The network is supported by a fleet of 785 vehicles and specialized machinery, alongside more than 23,300 waste storage and collection units deployed across residential and public areas.

Operations are managed by nearly 2,900 sanitation engineers and more than 280 supervisory and inspection personnel.

The system covers an extensive urban infrastructure, including approximately 2,400 kilometres of major roads and highways, 1,419 kilometres of investment zones, and 33.4 kilometres of water canals, in addition to beaches, markets, residential communities, industrial zones, and desert areas.

Dubai has also introduced several initiatives aimed at strengthening circular economy practices. These include the Circle Dubai program, which encourages waste reduction and recycling through community participation.

A cornerstone of the emirate’s waste management system is the Warsan Waste-to-Energy Centre, one of the largest facilities of its kind globally, converting municipal waste into electricity while reducing landfill use.

Urban sustainability and waste management innovations are becoming increasingly important for global cities.

As urban populations grow, many metropolitan regions are investing in smart waste systems, recycling infrastructure, and waste-to-energy technologies to meet sustainability targets and improve living standards.

Dubai’s continued recognition in global rankings highlights the impact of such integrated strategies in building cleaner, more resilient cities.

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