Digital Dubai and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) have announced that the UAE PASS application has won the prestigious Gold Award in the International General Authority category at the Sixteenth Edition of the Public Sector Transformation Awards (IESE) 2025.
The event, held globally, celebrates government sector innovation and best practices.
UAE’s digital transformation
The IESE Foundation, a British non-profit organization, organizes the annual awards to encourage global collaboration and recognize outstanding government initiatives.
This year, 140 distinguished projects were evaluated, with UAE PASS emerging as the winner for its outstanding contributions to digital identity and government service integration.
Developed by Digital Dubai in collaboration with TDRA, the Department of Government Enablement in Abu Dhabi, and several key government agencies, UAE PASS enables citizens, residents, and visitors to securely verify their identities using facial recognition technology.
Key achievements
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “We are proud that the UAE PASS application is receiving such global recognition as a successful model that can be emulated by other countries and governments.”
He emphasized the role of local and federal government entities in the success of UAE PASS, which aligns with the UAE leadership’s vision of a comprehensive digital life.
TDRA’s Director General, Eng. Majid Sultan Al Mesmar, also celebrated the award, saying, “UAE PASS represents a tangible outcome of the UAE’s digital transformation journey and an example of national collaboration.”
Since its launch, UAE PASS has expanded its reach, with over 340 entities offering services through the platform, including 60 federal, 171 local government, and 118 private sector entities. The platform now provides access to over 15,000 services, helping to streamline daily interactions and support the UAE’s digital economy.
The Gold Award was presented at a ceremony in London on March 5, 2025, attended by government representatives, innovators, and project leaders. UAE PASS continues to set the benchmark for digital identity solutions globally.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
