Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, chaired a meeting of the Supervisory Committee of the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Medal where he reviewed the evaluation outcomes from its inaugural edition. The Dubai Media Office reported that he approved a director-general as the first recipient of the award during the session. The winner’s identity will be revealed at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum 2026 organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development on September 23, when the honouree will also receive recognition for contributions to leadership development.
The medal represents the highest accolade within the Government of Dubai for promoting a culture of leadership empowerment and developing second-tier leaders across entities. Sheikh Hamdan said the award goes to the director-general who excels in empowering and developing top second-tier leaders. He stressed that the long-term strength of government institutions depends primarily on preparing younger officials to assume greater responsibility, in line with the approach of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The selection followed an extensive evaluation process involving 32 participating government entities, according to the Dubai Media Office. More than 100 interviews were conducted to assess leadership impact with participation from 10 independent global leadership evaluators. This structured assessment ensures the medal highlights officials who have made significant contributions to training, motivating and supporting emerging leaders.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development organises the annual medal to embody the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in developing leaders. The centre runs 80 leadership programs as part of its mandate to equip Emirati professionals with skills for managing transformations and enhancing competitiveness. The award focuses on building trust, inspiring performance and fostering innovation through decentralisation and delegated authority within institutions.
Official statements indicate the medal was launched to institutionalise leadership empowerment as a core value across Dubai government operations. It evaluates nominees on their success in cultivating new generations of leaders capable of sustaining progress and institutional readiness. Such recognition aligns with broader initiatives that have shaped government excellence programs in Dubai since the late 1990s.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum 2026 will bring together more than 1,000 leaders from government and private sectors to discuss the future of leadership. The event, inspired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s philosophy, serves as the stage for honouring the inaugural medal recipient. Discussions are expected to cover best practices in talent development drawn from the committee’s review process.
