Dubai continues to advance its long term vision for a more inclusive and resilient society with the issuance of Law No. (12) of 2026 by Sheikh Rashid.
The new law outlines an updated framework for the Community Development Authority, aimed at enhancing the emirate’s social sector and improving the quality of community services.
A key priority of the legislation is the protection and empowerment of vulnerable groups, including children, persons of determination, minors, and individuals without or with limited legal capacity.
The authority is tasked with ensuring their access to essential social, educational, healthcare, and recreational services, while also safeguarding their rights and welfare through structured care systems and approved institutions where necessary.
Under the new law, the Community Development Authority’s responsibilities are significantly expanded. It will play a central role in shaping social policies and strategies, proposing relevant legislation, and overseeing the licensing and regulation of social organisations and professionals.
The law introduces a structured approach to identifying and supporting low-income individuals, based on criteria approved by the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. These standards will be regularly reviewed to reflect economic and social changes, ensuring that support remains relevant and effective.
A major development under the new framework is the establishment of a Social Observatory within the authority. This unit will study social trends, analyse data, and anticipate emerging challenges across society. By building a comprehensive social database, it will enable early intervention and more informed decision-making in addressing social issues.
The legislation also introduces a unified system to manage social and humanitarian cases across Dubai. This system will ensure better coordination between government entities, allowing for more efficient service delivery and integrated support for individuals in need. All relevant authorities will be required to connect to this system and provide necessary data to ensure its effectiveness.
In addition, the law establishes a Community Development Fund to support social initiatives and provide financial assistance to eligible groups. The fund will help finance social programmes, emergency aid during crises, and vocational training for unemployed individuals.
The new law replaces the previous regulatory framework issued in 2015 and updates related provisions to reflect Dubai’s evolving social priorities. With this step, Dubai continues to strengthen its commitment to building a well-supported, cohesive, and future-ready society.
Looking forward
With this legislation, Dubai continues to strengthen its focus on building a cohesive, inclusive, and well-supported society, ensuring that social services are more integrated, efficient, and responsive to the needs of its people.
At One Investments, we see developments like this as a strong reminder of the value of forward planning. We prioritise understanding our investors objectives and identifying opportunities that match their vision, ensuring a careful balance between potential growth and security.
