Expo City Dubai secures two wins at GovMedia Awards
The organisation clinched accolades for driving inclusive urban development and climate action.
Expo City Dubai, the innovation-driven, people-centric legacy city of the 2020 World Expo, bagged two major accolades at the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2025 for its pioneering Inclusive Accessibility Training & Engagement programme that has fostered an accessibility-first culture, as well as its Seeds of Change initiative that has empowered visitors to reduce their footprint through certified nature-based projects.
United Arab Emirates Social Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year - Urban Development
The Inclusive Accessibility Training & Engagement Programme is an initiative tailored to equip staff with the knowledge and skills needed to champion accessibility in their roles. The programme embeds inclusion into Expo City Dubai’s culture, design, and operations, ensuring equitable access whilst empowering people with disabilities as active contributors and leaders in shaping an inclusive urban environment.
Placing people with disabilities and their lived experiences at the forefront, the programme has also welcomed disability advocates, government bodies and industry leaders to identify challenges and co-create meaningful solutions through surveys, feedback sessions, and workshops. In addition to the initiative, Expo City has also formalised strategic partnerships that strengthen its commitment to systemic change for an inclusive city.
A first-of-its-kind Digital & Physical Accessibility Training has also been launched, arming teams with the expertise to implement accessibility standards across both built and digital environments. This specialised six-month programme combines interactive online modules with an intensive three-day in-person workshop, ensuring accessibility is embedded at every level of city operations.
Since Q3 2024, over 750 individuals including employees and contractors that form part of the broader Expo City visitor-facing team – spanning security, hospitality, transport, attractions and more – have completed impactful training. Staff knowledge and helpfulness contributed to an 82% satisfaction rate amongst visitors with disabilities.
“This training and engagement programme shifted perceptions of accessibility from complying with standards to meaningful participation. With people of determination — as the community is referred to in the UAE — at the heart of the training process, Expo City Dubai is setting a new benchmark for inclusive cities," Joe Ryan, Vice President – Assurance, Expo City Dubai said.
The United Arab Emirates Sustainability Initiative of the Year - Urban Development
Meanwhile, Seeds of Change empowers individuals to offset their carbon footprint associated with visiting the city into an interactive, action-driven experience.
The initiative integrates digital tools, online platforms, on-ground activations, and behavioural nudges to transform sustainability from a passive idea into an engaging experience. The activation – a data-driven, educational experience – uses an engaging carbon calculator to give visitors insights into their footprint, whilst also providing valuable information on how people travel to Expo City.
Since December 2024, its goal to offset emissions has quickly gained traction. Over 5,000 people have engaged with the initiative, with around 800 individual contributions to nature-based projects. It has also recorded more than 153,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide offset by users alone, with Expo City Dubai then matching these contributions to double the impact.
“Seeds of Change is an impact-oriented climate change programme that encourages a culture of collective responsibility and continuous public engagement. The initiative not only raises awareness but also empowers individuals to take meaningful action, strengthening their sense of agency," Dr Yianni Spanos, Vice President – Sustainability, Expo City Dubai said.
GovMedia Conference & Awards 2025 celebrates the achievements of government projects and initiatives from both government organisations and private sector companies that are not only transforming Asia Pacific but are also making a significant impact across the globe.
The Gov Media Awards is presented by Gov Media Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 awards programme and be recognised for your organisation's government projects and initiatives, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].
