Dubai has been recognized as the “Creative City of Design” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), becoming the first city in the Middle East region to be given the honor, the state-run WAM news agency reports.

During a press conference held on Sunday, June 3, at the Youth Hub in the Emirates Towers, the UNESCO also announced the selection of Dubai as the 24th such city in the world within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

“Yet another feather has been added to the cap of achievements of Dubai and we are grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who instilled the can-do spirit in us and inspired us to attain higher purposes for our city,” the agency quotes Director General of Dubai Municipality Dawood Abdulrahman Al Hajiri as saying.

“Thanks to His Highness’s UAE Vision 2021, Dubai accelerates development for a bright and successful future,” Al Hajiri notes.

He elucidates that the design is the process of exploring creative solutions to problems in order to enhance livelihoods. “Design is beyond the product; rather it is the framework by which problems are solved. It puts people and their needs first to convert trash into energy, improve quality of life, increase sustainability and promote happiness,” Al Hajiri notes.

Founded in 2004, the UCCN currently comprises 180 members from 72 countries covering creative fields such as arts and crafts, design, film, literature, and media arts. It was established to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.