Abu Dhabi has launched the Design Commission Abu Dhabi (DCAD), a strategic cultural platform to accelerate the creative economy, drive innovation, and position the emirate as a global design leader.
Design Commission Abu Dhabi, chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, marks a defining step in Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to placing creativity and design at the core of economic diversification and global cultural influence.
Anchored in Abu Dhabi’s broader economic and cultural vision, Design Commission Abu Dhabi will cultivate a vibrant design ecosystem that celebrates Emirati creativity, strengthens economic resilience, and reinforces cultural identity. With a forward-looking vision, the Commission is laying the foundations for a resilient, future-ready creative economy in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Acting as a catalyst for new industries, the Commission will generate long-term employment across design, craftsmanship, and material innovation, while positioning Abu Dhabi at the forefront of global creative leadership.
Formation of Design Commission Abu Dhabi supports Abu Dhabi’s ambition to integrate design, innovation, and emerging technologies over the next 30 years. By aligning creative industries with economic policy, education, and sector development, the Commission aims to equip the next generation with the tools, platforms, and global networks to thrive in an evolving creative economy.
Chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, DCAD’s Board includes Nadine Maalouf, Executive Vice Chairwoman, and Rana Kuzayli El Khoury, Undersecretary. The Board is supported by an esteemed Advisory Committee comprising Asma Al Fahim, Rym Al Falasy, Rima Al Mokarrab, and Meera Al Suwaidi.
Image credits: ADMO | Cropped by GBN
Key strategies of Design Commission Abu Dhabi
Central to the strategy of Design Commission Abu Dhabi are initiatives designed to position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in design and creative innovation:
Global Design Intellectual Property: Establish Abu Dhabi as a producer and owner of globally relevant design IP.
UAE-Origin Materials and Textile Innovation: Pioneer homegrown materials and innovative textile solutions.
World-Class Talent Development: Cultivate a talent pipeline through international residencies, advanced training, and sector-aligned capacity building.
Cultural Showcases: Strengthen global recognition through high-impact exhibitions and events.
Strategic Global Collaborations: Partner with international institutions to elevate Abu Dhabi’s creative influence on the world stage.
Through its programs and initiatives, Design Commission Abu Dhabi will open new pathways for emerging talent by linking designers to global networks, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and embedding sustainability, technology, and innovation at the heart of design practice.
