Dubai Establishes Health Sustainability Authority to Advance Life Sciences Sector

Dubai has established a Health Sustainability Authority under a new law issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The authority has been created to oversee and regulate activities related to health sustainability and longevity within the emirate's growing life sciences sector.

The new authority will be responsible for developing policies, strategies and regulatory frameworks governing longevity-related therapies and services. It will also oversee licensing, monitoring and compliance activities across the sector to ensure adherence to approved standards and regulations.

According to the directives, the authority's responsibilities will extend across the entire longevity ecosystem, including research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing, healthcare services and related support activities. The authority will work to establish governance mechanisms and regulatory procedures for organizations operating in these fields.

The Health Sustainability Authority will coordinate with relevant government entities, including the Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Health, Dubai Municipality and the Dubai Future Foundation. The collaboration is intended to support the implementation of policies and initiatives related to health sustainability and longevity.

The law forms part of Dubai's efforts to develop its life sciences sector and strengthen its position in advanced healthcare and medical innovation. The authority will oversee the regulation and development of longevity-related activities and support the growth of the sector through a dedicated governance framework.

A dedicated Health Sustainability Authority in Dubai shows how sustainability governance is being extended into sector-specific bodies, which raises the compliance bar for life-sciences companies operating in the region. Our ESG-strategy and impact-assessment teams help clients evaluate what these sector-specific authorities mean for disclosure, capex and market-access positioning.