The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) has launched the “Innovation Lab for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” a strategic initiative aimed at building a more inclusive and sustainable work environment within the emirate’s government sector. The lab, held under the theme “Towards an Inclusive Work Environment… Diversity Drives Excellence,” brought together GDRFA employees and staff from various Dubai government entities to advance the human capital ecosystem.
The core objective of the lab is to systematically integrate the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the entire talent management lifecycle. This initiative seeks to establish a structured framework that ensures fairness in access to opportunities and enhances the overall efficiency and readiness of human capital for future challenges.
A Strategic Push for Fairness and Excellence
The initiative aligns with the UAE leadership’s vision for creating a governmental work environment founded on equality and merit.
Major General Awad Mohammed Al Humairi, Assistant Director-General for the Human Resources and Financial Sector at GDRFA Dubai, affirmed the organization’s commitment to this vision. He emphasized that embedding DEI principles is crucial for enabling talent to contribute effectively to government development, thereby strengthening institutional efficiency and sustainability.
“Aligning DEI concepts with the talent management framework constitutes a fundamental pillar in enhancing the quality of recruitment, development, and retention decisions,” said Major General Al Humairi. He added that this approach elevates the readiness of government entities, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to establish government work environments grounded in fairness, excellence, and sustainability.
Framework for Implementation
To ensure the lab’s outcomes translate into tangible action, the sessions were designed to address key challenges and produce actionable solutions. Brigadier Abdul Samad Hussein Suleiman Al Blooshi, Assistant Director-General for Leadership and Future Affairs at GDRFA Dubai, oversaw the lab’s activities and reviewed its progress. He has directed that the proposed solutions and recommendations be further studied for feasibility, paving the way for their adoption into implementation plans that reinforce GDRFA Dubai’s leadership journey.
Participants explored five critical pillars: institutional awareness, governance, impact measurement, equitable empowerment, and future readiness in the age of digital transformation. Using internationally recognised innovation tools, attendees identified and addressed five major challenges, transforming the outcomes into a roadmap for initiatives that support a more inclusive workplace and bolster Dubai’s global leadership in government performance.
About GDRFA Dubai
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai is a government entity in the United Arab Emirates responsible for regulating the entry and residency of foreign nationals in the Emirate of Dubai. It handles visas, entry permits, and residency-related services, playing a crucial role in managing the emirate’s expatriate population and supporting its economic and social development.
Source: Zawya
