• His Highness: Our vision is for Dubai to be at the forefront of shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing life sciences, biotechnology and medical innovation
• Hamdan bin Mohammed appointed to lead Dubai Longevity Authority (DLA)
• New regulator created to oversee growth of the Longevity, Wellness and Advanced Health Sector in Dubai
• Helal Almarri: The establishment of the Dubai Longevity Authority will offer regulatory certainty across the entire value chain, from R&D and clinical trials through to manufacturing, delivery, and patient care
• DLA will drive Dubai’s focus on pioneering advanced therapies, implementing world-class governance, and investing in innovation

National, 12th June 2026: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. (17) of 2026, establishing the Dubai Longevity Authority (DLA), a new entity that aims to develop the emirate as the world’s leading hub for regulated longevity, wellness and advanced healthcare offerings, and forge paths for investment flows in the sector.

According to Decree No. (14) of 2026, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, will serve as President of DLA. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has been appointed as its Chairman, according to Decree No. (15) of 2026.

Leveraging cutting-edge innovation, robust governance, and strategic partnerships, the establishment of DLA will support the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aim, respectively, to position Dubai among the top three cities globally for quality of life and achieve a leading position in healthy life expectancy.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “The true wealth of nations lies in their people, and our greatest investment has always been in their health, quality of life, and ability to contribute, create and innovate. Our vision is for Dubai to be at the forefront of shaping the future of healthcare by

harnessing life sciences, biotechnology and medical innovation to develop new solutions that enhance quality of life and advance human health. We firmly believe that every scientific breakthrough should deliver tangible benefits to people’s lives, and that serving humanity will always remain the ultimate purpose of every investment in science, knowledge and innovation.”

“Our ambition is for Dubai to become the world’s leading hub for longevity, wellness and advanced healthcare, and to set new global benchmarks in health and quality of life. Dubai will continue to attract the world’s brightest minds across industries, fostering innovation and nurturing top talent to advance medicine, wellness, and transformative life-enhancing technologies,” His Highness added.

DLA is mandated to establish and implement a science-driven, risk-proportionate regulatory framework for longevity-related therapies and innovations. The authority will license and supervise activities across the entire value chain: research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing, delivery, and patient clinics.

Launched in coordination with key government entities, including Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Health, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Future Foundation, DLA will align its activities with the highest international standards, ensuring excellence and compliance across the sector.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “The Longevity, Wellness and Advanced Health Sector is one of the fastest-growing economic frontiers in the world and we are positioning Dubai to capture the possibilities it presents under the vision of our leadership to send a powerful message about the emirate’s role in shaping the future of advanced healthcare.

“The establishment of the Dubai Longevity Authority will offer regulatory certainty across the entire value chain, from R&D and clinical trials through to manufacturing, delivery, and patient care. What we are building is a sophisticated, sovereign market for advanced therapeutic products and services. It is one that will attract investment, industrial capability, and specialised talent, and facilitate the real transfer of technology and business models into the economy. This will not only support the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, but also allow Dubai to lead the way in breakthrough therapies that extend lifespan and healthspan, ultimately improving quality of life for all.”

DLA will formulate and implement a strategy to create an environment in which advanced therapies, preventive interventions, clinical innovations, ethical practices, and continuous progress converge. Key areas of focus will include establishing frameworks for safe experimentation and growth, leveraging expertise from around the world, attracting and investing in high-potential companies, and driving collaboration and dialogue through international events.

About Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)

With the ultimate vision of making Dubai the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism destination, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is mandated to support the Government in positioning the emirate as a major hub for global economy and tourism, and in boosting the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators, in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its position among the top three global cities over the next decade.

Under this remit, DET is driving efforts to further enhance Dubai’s diversified, innovative service-based economy to attract top global talent, deliver a world-class business environment and accelerate productivity growth. Additionally, DET is supporting Dubai’s vision to become the world’s best city to visit, live and work in by promoting its diverse destination proposition, unique lifestyle and outstanding quality of life, overall.

DET is the principal authority for planning, supervising, developing and marketing Dubai’s business and tourism sectors. It is also responsible for licensing and classifying all types of businesses, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. DET’s portfolio includes Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation (DBLC), Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), Dubai SME, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and Dubai College of Tourism (DCT)