Dubai Land Department reinforced the emirate's position as a global real estate investment destination at RISE 2026, highlighting AED 111 billion in completed projects, digital innovation and initiatives supporting market transparency.
October 16, 2026 | Palak Kataria | UAE | Real Estate | 3 Min Read
Image Courtesy: Dubai Land Department
Dubai Land Department (DLD) has reaffirmed the emirate's position as a leading global real estate investment destination during RISE 2026, highlighting its strong development activity, advanced regulatory environment and growing digital capabilities.
Participating as a strategic government partner, DLD joined more than 300 international institutional investors, alongside representatives of sovereign wealth funds, government entities, developers and business leaders at Dubai World Trade Centre on October 14, 2026.
Held under the theme Recharging Momentum in Global Economies, the summit provided a platform to explore international investment trends, economic development and the future of real estate markets.
Delivering the summit's opening address, Omar Hamad BuShehab, Director General of Dubai Land Department, highlighted the continued growth of Dubai's property sector.
According to BuShehab, 104 real estate projects valued at more than AED 111 billion were completed during the first half of 2026, representing a 52% increase in value compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
The figures underline the scale of development activity supporting Dubai's wider economic and urban growth.
BuShehab also emphasised the importance of long-term planning, advanced infrastructure, public-private partnerships and a competitive business environment in attracting international capital.
He linked these strengths to the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, which guide the emirate's ambitions for sustainable economic growth and real estate development.
During a panel discussion titled From Vision to Value: Shaping the Future of Dubai's Real Estate Sector, Majid Saqr Al Marri, CEO of DLD's Corporate Support Sector, outlined the importance of transparency, regulatory frameworks and digital transformation in strengthening investor confidence.
The session, moderated by real estate expert Ismail Al Hammadi, examined how access to reliable market information and efficient government services can enhance the property investment experience.
Al Marri highlighted several DLD initiatives, including the Initial Registration platform, which supports developer-related processes, and the Dubai REST application, which provides access to real estate services and information.
He also discussed the Malik AI assistant, developed to enhance customer interactions and simplify access to services.
Together, these initiatives reflect DLD's focus on building an increasingly accessible and technology-enabled real estate ecosystem.
DLD also highlighted its efforts to support residential property ownership through the First-Time Home Buyer Programme.
The initiative aims to help eligible residents transition from renting to homeownership, strengthening long-term participation in Dubai's residential market.
Beyond homeownership, the department continues to advance initiatives supporting real estate brokers, national talent development and investment services.
RISE 2026 provided an opportunity for DLD to engage directly with international investors and developers while presenting the emirate's regulatory strengths and investment opportunities.
As global capital flows evolve, Dubai's combination of infrastructure, market transparency and digital services remains central to its strategy for attracting long-term property investment.
Through its participation in RISE 2026, Dubai Land Department reinforced its commitment to supporting a competitive, transparent and future-focused real estate market.
Sources: Dubai Land Department, Official Press Release; RISE 2026 Summit
