Dubai and Abu Dhabi were named the world’s most sustainable cities in the 2025 Index

Dubai is ranked the fourth most powerful city in the world, while Abu Dhabi secured the 13th place, in the address of global city limits

Unveiled at FII9 in Riyadh, the report places Dubai among the world’s leading models for sustainable and renewable urban development, setting a Global Benchmark for how emerging cities can anticipate and adapt to technological change.

Abu Dhabi’s strong performance reinforces its growing reputation for institutional governance, stable finance, and human investment, underscoring the UAE’s national approach to urban renewal and dynamic urban planning.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Boost UAE resilience

The remarkable presence of the UAE in the Top 15 Globally reflects a national strategy focused on long-term depth, built on infrastructure governance, forward-thinking policy, and forward-thinking management.

Unique among indices of its kind, the GCRI assesses 31 global cities for their potential to transform climate into long-term climate, technology, and social benefits.

Cities are evaluated on five dimensions:

• Institutional Governance
• Sustainable Finance and Business
• Technology and innovation
• Social and human capital
• Global Integration

London, Amsterdam, and New York occupy the top three positions globally, followed by Dubai on Thursday and Toronto in Fifth.

Riyadh and Doha Drive in the course

The report also highlights the region’s progress, with Riyadh emerging as a global leader in technology and innovation, enabled by Saudi Arabia’s investment in business, digital infrastructure, and Vision 2030 reforms.

Meanwhile, Doha ranks among the top six in the world for economic strength, driven by growth policies and highly encouraging policies that reflect a broader trend of institutional strength and stable competitiveness.

Bob Willen, managing partner and chairman at Kearney, said resilience is no longer about crisis management but about preparedness for the brass.

He said: “The Global Citi City Resilience Index addresses a critical gap in measuring where cities stand today but the readiness of FIIs creates a tool for looking forward.”

Willen said the findings encourage City leaders to encourage institutional resilience, investment, and community engagement, turning it into a shared and sustainable process.

Dubai sets the bench

Richard Atiayos, chairman of the Fii Institute’s Executive Committee, said the report emphasizes how cities such as Dubai and London are setting the global standard for urban adaptation.

“Cities are central to the global economy, and they continue to thrive in myriad ways.

“This report helpfully points out that cities, such as Dubai and London, have the ability to adapt and thrive in the midst of unexpected change.”

With both Dubai and Abu Dhabi recognized among the world’s most dynamic cities, the UAE continues to emerge as a regional leader in adaptive urban ecosystems – combining smart infrastructure, resilience, and inclusive governance.