Dubai Culture and RTA sign cooperation agreement to strengthen Dubai's global cultural position

Cooperation agreement also covers rehabilitation of Zabeel High School

Partnership will focus on developing the road network surrounding Al Fahidi Fort

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, today signed a cooperation agreement with His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai.

The agreement is part of Dubai Culture’s ongoing mission to establish the Emirate as a global centre for art and culture, position the city as an incubator for creativity and ensure the city remains a thriving hub for talent. It will further consolidate the Emirate's reputation as a leading international cultural destination that fosters innovation and provides rich cultural and artistic experiences.

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed the importance of enhancing synergies between various authorities, noting that Dubai Culture seeks, through its cooperation with government and private entities, to achieve Dubai's vision of maintaining a robust cultural sector. She said the Authority is keen to play multiple roles, based on its social responsibility, in line with the directives of Dubai’s leadership to make the city a place that enhances intellectual and human convergence.

Her Highness said: “With the implementation of Dubai’s new cultural vision, we have set in motion a comprehensive cultural movement that brings together several entities to invest in the cultural richness that our country possesses in order to enhance its position as a global centre for culture and creativity. This agreement is another step in enhancing the Emirate’s position on the global cultural map, promoting the growth of creative industries, and showcasing our cultural and artistic assets, which will contribute to making Dubai a global centre of culture, an incubator for creativity and a thriving hub for talent.”

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) thanked Her Highness Sheikha Latifa for giving RTA the opportunity to contribute to achieving Dubai’s new cultural vision, which is set to usher in a fresh phase of cultural growth in Dubai and the UAE. He said the new vision supports the country’s development across sectors, especially the cultural sector.

His Excellency said: "RTA is honoured to contribute to initiatives and projects that support Dubai’s new cultural strategy, which is in line with the aspirations of the emirate to be a key player in shaping the future of the region and the world. The agreement with Dubai Culture opens the door to unlimited opportunities for collaboration and new initiatives for raising Dubai’s status as a global cultural and innovation hub.

Under the framework of the agreement, Dubai Culture and RTA are collaborating on the launch of the ‘Destination Land Art’, an integrated project that will be an innovative art tourism attraction. Under the umbrella of the project, artists of different nationalities will come together to create a series of public land-based artworks that symbolises the inherent tolerance of Dubai’s society and the cultural integration that characterises the city.

The agreement also includes the rehabilitation of Zabeel High School to preserve the architectural history of the school and highlight it as an iconic historical building. The two organisations will work together on transforming the building into a cultural center that will include a permanent exhibition within the school, making it a tourism destination and a platform for young people to practice cultural activities and express their creativity.

The agreement will also support the development of the road network surrounding Al Fahidi Fort, a historical district founded in 1787. The infrastructure development is part of a wider plan to rehabilitate the area as part of the historical Dubai Development Project. The project is aimed at developing the road network adjacent to the area of Dubai Museum to provide a better experience for visitors.