Dubai has opened the fourth Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, bringing together more than 3,000 global participants and 80 speakers to explore the future of autonomous mobility.
The event was inaugurated at the Dubai World Trade Centre by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Organised by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the congress serves as a global platform for experts, policymakers and technology leaders to discuss self-driving innovations. Sheikh Ahmed also honoured winners of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport 2025, which awarded a total of US$3 million in prizes. The consortium of WeRide and Deutsche Bahn secured first place for integrating self-driving taxis with autonomous buses, while Singapore’s Zealous Technology took second place for its logistics-focused solution.
During his visit, Sheikh Ahmed reviewed the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Zone, a 15-square-kilometre hub showcasing autonomous mobility across land and marine transport, including metro, buses, logistics vehicles, delivery robots and autonomous abras. The initiative supports Dubai’s strategy to raise the share of driverless journeys from 20.4 percent today to 25 percent by 2030 and 36 percent by 2040.
Keynote speaker Sol Rashidi, recognised as the world’s first Chief AI Officer, highlighted the importance of balancing innovation with responsible use of artificial intelligence. She underlined the need for strong digital infrastructure, updated legislation and human skills to prepare cities for future technologies.
By hosting the congress, Dubai reinforces its role as a global leader in autonomous transport and accelerates progress towards its smart mobility strategy, aimed at transforming a quarter of all trips in the city into self-driving journeys by the end of the decade.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
