Dubai crowned world’s cleanest city for 6th year in a row
Government, private sector, and community collaborate for impeccable urban cleanliness
DUBAI – Dubai has retained its position as the world’s cleanest city for the sixth consecutive year, according to the Global Power City Index (GPCI) published by Japan’s Mori Memorial Foundation.
The ranking reflects Dubai’s global leadership in quality of life, sustainability, and urban excellence.
The achievement underscores Dubai’s long-term vision of a clean, healthy, and sustainable urban environment that places community wellbeing at the heart of city planning, development, and management. Residents and visitors alike benefit from an urban ecosystem that prioritises high living standards, aesthetic appeal, and global competitiveness.
The emirate achieved a remarkable 100% satisfaction score in the city cleanliness indicator under the Environment pillar of the GPCI, outperforming major international cities across key urban performance metrics. The GPCI evaluates cities across six core functions: quality of life, environment, economy, research and development, cultural interaction, and accessibility, using more than 70 international indicators.
Municipal excellence
Dubai Municipality’s sustained efforts have been pivotal to this recognition, enhancing public health standards and maintaining the city’s visual appeal. Integrated cleanliness operations, sustainable urban planning, and the continuous development of parks, beaches, and community spaces ensure residents enjoy a pristine urban environment.
The Municipality’s initiatives align with the Steering Committee for Preserving the Urban Appearance of Dubai, which monitors street and public facility cleanliness through the Public Cleanliness Index. This framework ensures Dubai meets the highest international standards for urban hygiene and aesthetic quality.
Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: “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. Cleanliness in Dubai is not only an operational outcome but an established urban culture that reflects the awareness, responsibility, and values of society.”
Integrated systems
Dubai Municipality operates a comprehensive cleanliness framework around the clock, supported by a modern fleet of 785 vehicles and specialised equipment, alongside more than 23,300 waste storage and collection units. A dedicated workforce of 2,876 sanitation engineers and 280 supervisory staff ensures smooth operations.
The system covers 2,400 kilometres of main roads and highways, 1,419 kilometres of investment zones, 33.4 kilometres of water canals, and public areas including markets, beaches, residential communities, industrial zones, and desert landscapes. Advanced digital platforms enable real-time monitoring and decision-making, supporting the city’s Clean City Index system.
Pioneering initiatives
Dubai Municipality leads global best practices in waste management and sustainability. The Circle Dubai initiative encourages waste reduction, recycling, and community participation in circular economy practices. The emirate also hosts the Warsan Waste-to-Energy Centre, the largest facility of its kind worldwide.
Collaborative frameworks with private sector partners enhance residential waste collection, transport, and recycling, complemented by community engagement programmes such as ‘One Hour with a Sanitation Engineer’. These initiatives strengthen civic responsibility while advancing Dubai’s broader sustainability objectives, including the Dubai Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2041, which aims to divert 100% of waste from landfills and reduce waste generation at source.