13th Dubai Award For Sustainable Transport Registers 168 Entries

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) revealed the 13th Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) registered 168 entries, which is 20% more in 2024 compared to last year.

The upcoming event, held under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council, will witness participants from governmental, semi-governmental, and private entities from the UAE and the broader Middle East and North Africa region.

DAST Awards reflects RTA's goal of being a global leader in seamless and eco-friendly transportation, matching Dubai's overall sustainable growth in areas like business, tourism, and real estate.

"The initial screening of entries reveals a wide range of applications from various regional sectors, particularly from academic and business communities," Muna AL Osaimi, Secretary General of DAST, was quoted as saying by WAM. "This underscores the growing keenness to anticipate the future of sustainable mobility, and to develop initiatives and ideas that positively impact and preserve the environment."

"We are set to complement the sorting process, where entries will be classified as per the award categories namely: Initiatives, Research and Development, and Special Recognition," he added.

The jury of the awards consists of 10 external experts, who will evaluate participants with transparency and neutrality, revealing the winners of all categories in June.

Talking about the criteria set by the jury for submissions evaluation, the Outstanding Sustainable Transport category will be based on governance, planning strategies, methodologies, implementation process, and achieved results.

The initiatives category will be judged on four main criteria: innovation and knowledge transfer, excellence and leadership, implementation and development, and results and inclusiveness. In the Research and Development category, the judgment will be focused on research or project topics as well as the methodology, design, and results.

"In the Special Recognition category, the criteria include contributions to promoting community awareness of sustainability, advancing the achievement of sustainable development objectives, participating in relevant events and workshops, and the extent of contribution to achieving RTA's strategic goals and objectives," Al Osaimi added.

DAST Awards was launched in 2008.