Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. (17) of 2026 establishing the Dubai Longevity Authority, a new body tasked with positioning Dubai as a global hub for regulated longevity therapies, wellness, and advanced healthcare.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, will serve as President of the authority under Decree No. (14) of 2026. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has been appointed its Chairman under Decree No. (15) of 2026.
The authority is mandated to build a science-driven, risk-proportionate regulatory framework covering the full value chain for longevity-related therapies: research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing, delivery, and patient clinics. It will operate in coordination with Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Health, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai Future Foundation.
“The true wealth of nations lies in their people, and our greatest investment has always been in their health, quality of life, and ability to contribute, create and innovate. Our vision is for Dubai to be at the forefront of shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing life sciences, biotechnology and medical innovation to develop new solutions that enhance quality of life and advance human health. We firmly believe that every scientific breakthrough should deliver tangible benefits to people’s lives, and that serving humanity will always remain the ultimate purpose of every investment in science, knowledge and innovation,” Sheikh Mohammed said in a statement.
“Our ambition is for Dubai to become the world’s leading hub for longevity, wellness and advanced healthcare, and to set new global benchmarks in health and quality of life. Dubai will continue to attract the world’s brightest minds across industries, fostering innovation and nurturing top talent to advance medicine, wellness, and transformative life-enhancing technologies,” he added.
The DLA is framed as a vehicle for the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubai Social Agenda 33, both of which include targets to place Dubai among the top three cities globally for quality of life and to improve healthy life expectancy.
“The Longevity, Wellness and Advanced Health Sector is one of the fastest-growing economic frontiers in the world and we are positioning Dubai to capture the possibilities it presents under the vision of our leadership to send a powerful message about the emirate’s role in shaping the future of advanced healthcare.
“The establishment of the Dubai Longevity Authority will offer regulatory certainty across the entire value chain, from R&D and clinical trials through to manufacturing, delivery, and patient care. What we are building is a sophisticated, sovereign market for advanced therapeutic products and services. It is one that will attract investment, industrial capability, and specialised talent, and facilitate the real transfer of technology and business models into the economy. This will not only support the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, but also allow Dubai to lead the way in breakthrough therapies that extend lifespan and healthspan, ultimately improving quality of life for all,” Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Chairman of the Dubai Longevity Authority added.
Beyond regulation, the DLA is expected to drive international collaboration through conferences and events, support high-potential companies, and draw expertise from outside the region.
