The UAE launched the second phase of its Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, a national initiative to streamline public services and eliminate administrative red tape, aiming to position the country as a global leader in efficient and impact-driven governance.
The announcement was made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said the move reflects the vision of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to build a world-class model for government service delivery.
“We launch the second phase of the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, a national project designed to create simpler, faster, and more impactful government services. In its first phase, the programme reduced service delivery time by over 70 per cent, eliminated more than 4,000 unnecessary procedures, and saved customers over 12 million hours,” Sheikh Mohammed said at the launch event in Dubai, attended by over 200 senior government officials.
Read: UAE’s 2031 non-oil foreign trade target will be achieved in 2 yrs: Sheikh Mohammed
Zero Government Bureaucracy: Streamlining procedures
Sheikh Mohammed added: “We are grateful to the over 30 government entities and 690 teams involved in streamlining government procedures. Today we expand these efforts, focusing on eliminating digital bureaucracy to realise our goal: a government without complexity, services without waiting times, and results that tangibly improve people’s lives.”
The programme, launched in November 2023, is part of the UAE’s wider ambition to deliver customer-centric, proactive, and digitally advanced public services. It aligns with the nation’s drive to become the most digitally advanced government in the world, delivering high-impact outcomes with minimal effort for citizens, residents, and investors alike.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, highlighted the achievements of the programme’s first phase: “Over 690 teams from 30 government entities successfully eliminated over 4,000 unnecessary procedures, reduced service delivery time by over 70 per cent, and removed 1,600 redundant requirements.
“This translated to over 12 million hours and Dhs1.12bn saved annually for the public, customers, businesses, and investors.”
He added that the second phase would target zero digital bureaucracy, with efforts focused on ensuring 24/7 uptime for digital systems, improving integration between platforms, enhancing customer experience, and deploying AI across government services.
The event also celebrated top-performing government teams, with Dhs7m in awards presented. The Ministry of Justice received first place, with Minister Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi highlighting the ministry’s journey in streamlining operations and eliminating redundant procedures.
Mohammed bin Taliah, chief of Government Services in the UAE Government, laid out plans for further digital integration, the adoption of leading private sector practices, and enhanced data sharing to support innovation and joint solutions across ministries.
.@HHShkMohd: We have launched the ‘Zero Government Bureaucracy’ programme aimed at eradiacting bureaucracy and making the UAE government’s services the world’s best. With 30 federal entities on board, the initiative aims to eliminate 2,000 government procedures, cut service times… pic.twitter.com/tPb0tm7bus
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 1, 2024
Panel session held
A concluding panel session, “Zero Bureaucracy and the Private Sector,” featured insights from Marwan Ibrahim Haji Nasser, CEO of Tadawi Healthcare Group, and Fouad Mansoor Sharaf, MD of UAE Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim Properties.
Speakers underscored how the programme positively impacts private sector efficiency, performance, and service quality.
The UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, already streamlining over 200 million annual transactions, serves as a blueprint for future-focused governance that prioritises simplicity, speed, and citizen satisfaction.
