Sheikh Mohammed launches second phase of 'Zero Bureaucracy' Programme

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday launched the second phase of the “Zero Bureaucracy” programme in the UAE government.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that this is a national project aimed at creating simpler, faster, and more impactful government services.

In a post on his official X account, Sheikh Mohammed stated: “Today, we launched the second phase of the Zero Bureaucracy programme in the UAE government....a national project to create simpler, faster, and more effective government services.”

Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the achievements of the first phase, noting: “In the initial stage, we reduced service delivery time by over 70%, eliminated more than 4,000 unnecessary procedures, and saved customers over 12 million hours in travel and wait times.”

“We thank more than 30 government entities and 690 teams that contributed to simplifying and streamlining government procedures. Today, we are expanding our efforts, particularly in eliminating digital bureaucracy. Our goal is a government without complexity, services without delays, and results which make a real difference in people’s lives.”

 Sheikh Mohammed announced the launch of the second phase of the Zero Bureaucracy programme, at an event that detailed the next phase of the programme and its objectives. The launch event, held in Dubai, was attended by over 200 ministers, deputy ministers, and directors general of federal entities.

Mohammad Al Gergawi and other dignitaries during the launch of the second phase of Zero Bureaucracy Programme in Dubai on Monday. WAM

The programme serves as a comprehensive national framework for Zero Bureaucracy projects and initiatives, uniting the efforts of all ministries and government entities. Its strategic objective is to establish the UAE government as the global leader in service delivery, ultimately achieving zero bureaucracy.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, stated that the achievements of the Zero Bureaucracy Programme's first phase align with the UAE leadership's vision to prioritise citizen services and continuously improve and simplify processes.

In his opening remarks at the launch of the second phase, Al Gergawi highlighted the collaborative efforts of "30 government entities and 690 teams, which successfully eliminated over 4,000 unnecessary procedures, reduced service delivery time by over 70%, and removed 1,600 redundant requirements. The UAE Government has recognised and celebrated the top three performing government entities in implementing Zero Bureaucracy."

Mohammad Al Gergawi speaks at the launch of the second phase of Zero Bureaucracy in Dubai. WAM

Al Gergawi said: "The results of the previous phase represent a new, more effective model for government operations, by leveraging internal teams to re-engineer processes and enhance service efficiency. More importantly, this translated to over 12 million hours and Dhs1.12 billion saved annually for the public, customers, businesses, and investors."

Al Gergawei stated that the next phase will focus on further reducing unnecessary procedures, streamlining digital applications by achieving zero digital bureaucracy, and ensuring a 24-hour uptime for digital systems, strengthening digital integration between government entities, and enhancing the overall digital customer experience.

In its first phase, the Zero Bureaucracy programme achieved significant results, establishing a new model for government operations. Over 690 teams from 30 government entities eliminated over 4,000 unnecessary procedures, reducing service times by over 70%. This streamlined 200 million annual transactions, saving customers and businesses 12 million hours and Dhs1.12 billion annually. Top-performing teams received awards valued at Dhs7 million in recognition of their contributions.

Mohammad Al Gergawi speaks at the launch of the second phase of Zero Bureaucracy in Dubai. WAM

The second phase of the programme will expand its scope to fully eliminate digital bureaucracy, streamlining online processes and applications. This involves modernizing all government digital systems and effectively integrating AI.

The programme will also continue to eliminate unnecessary government procedures and services, remove redundancies between entities, and abolish all non-essential burdens and requirements.

During the launch event for the Zero Bureaucracy Programme's second phase,  Abdullah Bin Sultan Bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, highlighted the Ministry's achievements and journey in eliminating bureaucracy. He showcased several initiatives that contributed to the Ministry winning first place as the Zero Bureaucracy Awards' Best Government Team.

Mohammed Bbin Taliah, Chief of Government Services in the UAE Government, outlined the second phase of the programme, which aims to further eliminate unnecessary procedures and requirements, eradicate digital bureaucracy, and remove redundant or unnecessary requirements. He explained that the next phase will focus on enhancing government integration, data sharing, developing innovative joint solutions, and adopting leading business practices.

The government workshop concluded with an interactive dialogue session titled " Zero Bureaucracy and the Private Sector." Participants included Marwan Ibrahim Haji Nasser, Chairman and CEO of Tadawi Healthcare Group, and Fouad Mansoor Sharaf, Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director of the UAE Shopping Malls at MAF Properties. The session explored the speakers' insights and perspectives on how eliminating bureaucracy impacts the private sector's efficiency, performance quality, and service excellence.

Launched in November 2023, the UAE Zero Government Bureaucracy programme simplifies and streamlines procedures, eliminating unnecessary requirements. The first phase targeted a reduction of 2,000 government procedures and a 50% decrease in processing times, reflecting the leadership's commitment to creating a leading future-forward experience that enhances lives, fosters a pro-business environment, and attracts talent.