Dubai becomes world’s first paperless government

Officials in Dubai acknowledged on Saturday that the emirate had become the world’s first paperless government. Thereby, achieving the goals of the Dubai Paperless Strategy. It was established in 2018.

The Dubai Paperless Strategy is fully implemented across Dubai. No Dubai government employee or consumer will require to print any paper documents or transactions unless they wish to do so. Printing can be done at a variety of locations, including service and typing centers.

The Dubai Paperless Strategy was conducted in five phases. Each involves a distinct set of Dubai government organizations. The strategy had fully implemented throughout all 45 government entities in the emirate. It is executed through five phases. More than 1,800 digital services and over 10,500 important transactions are provided by these organizations. Collaboration among participating entities enabled the automation of customer-facing operations and services, resulting in a 336 million paper reduction. The technique also saved the Dubai government more than Dhs1.3 billion and 14 million man-hours.

Phase one

The Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Department of Economic Development, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and Department of Land and Property are the initial six entities. They launched the Dubai Paperless Strategy in 2018.

Then, stage one resulted in a reduction of almost 72.5 million sheets of paper.

Phase two

The second phase then began in 2019, with the addition of eight more entities. Dubai Courts, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Public Prosecution, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai Health Authority, Community Development Authority, Dubai Customs, and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

Phase three

Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department, Dubai Media Incorporated, Department of Finance, Dubai Government Human Resources Department, Dubai Culture, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, and the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department were likewise the third phase of the strategy at the end of 2019. More than 12.9 million sheets of paper saved as a result of the group’s efforts.

World’s first paperless government

Phase four

In March 2020, phase four began, and also a new group of ten entities joined the effort to implement the strategy. The Dubai Statistics Center, the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, the Dubai Women Establishment, the Security Industry Regulatory Agency, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment, the Dubai Sports Council, the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation – Trakhees, the Dubai Maritime City Authority, Dubai Air Navigation Services, and Dubai Airports. The group’s efforts saved more than 11.9 million sheets of paper.

The ‘100% Digital Stamp’ program also launched in the fourth phase; with the goal of honoring government institutions who make considerable efforts to fully implement the Dubai Paperless Strategy and provide smart services.

Phase five

Then in June 2020, the fifth and final phase of implementation began. Nine new organizations also joined the effort. Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, Dubai Future Foundation, Supreme Legislation Committee, Nedaa Professional Communication Corporation, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, Dubai Government Workshop, and the Directorate General of Civil Defense Dubai. In total, the organization saved almost 8.2 million sheets of paper.

The Financial Audit Authority of Dubai and Dubai Chamber are two more government bodies that joined the Dubai Paperless Strategy. The two organizations met their strategic objectives 100 percent of the time and saved over 938,000 sheets of paper.

“Four years ago, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had a vision that no Dubai government employee or customer would need to print any paper document after 2021,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He is the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. “Today, that promise has been fulfilled.”

The government’s DubaiNow app now provides access to more than 130 smart city services. It is likewise across 12 major categories as part of its digitalization ambitions and to help users adapt.