Dubai Customs has launched an Institutional Resilience Program, a strategic initiative that highlights the department’s commitment to enhancing its organizational readiness and ability to adapt to global changes proactively and efficiently. This program is part of the department’s vision to establish itself as a leading institution capable of adapting to worldwide transformations, ensuring business continuity, and maintaining Dubai’s competitiveness as a global trade hub.
During the opening session, Dr. Abdullah BouSnaid, Director General of Dubai Customs, stated: “In light of the rapid changes the world is witnessing today, institutional resilience is no longer just an organizational option; it has become a strategic necessity to ensure sustained performance, protect achievements, and enhance preparedness for the future.”
BouSnaid emphasized that the Institutional Resilience Program at Dubai Customs provides an integrated framework that boosts the capacity to anticipate and manage risks effectively, guarantees business continuity, and enhances the agency’s readiness to respond flexibly and efficiently to various changes and scenarios. He confirmed that the program goes beyond policies and procedures, focusing on a conscious organizational culture, a flexible operational system, and human resources capable of making timely decisions.
The Director General highlighted that establishing institutional resilience is rooted in a clear strategic vision, reinforced through collaborative efforts among sectors, enhancing digital readiness, empowering national competencies, and linking strategic planning with risk management and opportunities. He also stressed the importance of embedding resilience as a sustainable operating approach rather than a temporary response to crises.
BouSnaid concluded by stating that the success of this program relies on institutional commitment and the integration of roles across sectors, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and teamwork. He remarked: “We are developing an advanced institutional model that enhances the protection of national interests, supports Dubai’s global competitiveness, builds trust with partners and stakeholders, and effectively and proactively addresses changes.”
The event also featured a comprehensive executive presentation on enhancing institutional resilience at Dubai Customs, showcasing the strategic framework for resilience, its main drivers, implementation methodology, execution phases, and the expected impact on institutional readiness and performance sustainability. It was emphasized that the success of this transformation is based on the integration of roles among various sectors and units, viewing resilience as a comprehensive institutional responsibility beyond a specific organizational framework.
This initiative aligns with the pivotal role Dubai Customs plays in the global trade system. In 2025, nearly one trillion dollars’ worth of trade is expected to pass through Dubai, with over 40 million customs transactions completed at an average clearance time of less than five minutes. Additionally, Dubai International Airport is anticipated to welcome 96 million passengers, with 99.6% of them completing clearance procedures in under ten minutes, reflecting high operational efficiency and advanced institutional readiness that meet global standards.
The presentation also included a detailed overview of application mechanisms, evaluation frameworks, and best global practices to enhance the department’s ability to establish a proactive approach to risk management and transform challenges into strategic opportunities. Key global changes anticipated for 2026 were highlighted, including geopolitical shifts, the increased influence of active communities, the rapid advancement of technologies and artificial intelligence, and the growing patterns of transnational organized crime, with a focus on strategic responses to these changes as a lever for enhancing resilience.
Furthermore, the Institutional Resilience Leaders Program and the Flexible Capacity Building Program were launched to enhance employee skills in daily practices and strategic planning, bolster collective risk intelligence, develop clear governance to ensure operational readiness and supply chains, and provide advanced insights into building institutional capacities. On the sidelines of the event, the internal page for the Institutional Resilience Program was inaugurated, serving as a knowledge platform for employees, reflecting Dubai Customs’ commitment to enhancing its global competitiveness and supporting the UAE’s trade ecosystem, thereby establishing Dubai as the most connected and resilient logistics hub worldwide.