DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (June 30, 2025) — The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) hosted the second edition of its Human Resources Forum of 2025 on Monday, under the theme “New Work Patterns and Their Impact on the Future of Human Resources,” to explore the evolving dynamics of the workplace. The event brought together experts and specialists from various Dubai government entities.
The forum coincides with the launch of the “Our Flexible Summer” initiative, which runs from July 1 to Sept. 12. It brought together general managers, executives, department heads and HR professionals to examine trends in work patterns and support the emirate’s broader HR strategy. The event reinforced DGHR’s focus on fostering future-ready government capabilities and promoting adaptive, sustainable, and future-oriented work models that enhance institutional efficiency amid global workforce shifts.
“This forum marks a significant step in our journey toward future readiness, highlighting the importance of responsive policies that align with global labor markets,” said H.E. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, director general of DGHR. “It provides a strategic platform to examine emerging trends in workplaces and their impact on government performance, ensuring our institutions remain agile, resilient and capable of nurturing national talent for the future.”
He added: “In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, building flexible, tech-driven work environments has become imperative to sustain institutional performance and elevate government services. At DGHR, we are focused on enabling government entities to embrace innovative work models that not only improve productivity but also enrich the employee experience. We are creating environments that foster innovation, creativity and excellence — an effort that aligns with our leadership’s vision of investing in human capital to ensure sustainable development. This investment remains fundamental to Dubai’s global economic leadership and its role as the benchmark for human capital development.”
The forum featured presentations by notable local and international speakers, including Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki, president of the University of Dubai, who delivered a session titled “The Future of HR in an Era of Flexibility.” H.E. Dr. Nabil Al Youssef, CEO of the International Advisory Group and Gov Campus, discussed “Future Work Skills in the AI Age.” Tom Flynn of Whiteshield explored “New Work Patterns and Their HR Future Impact.”
A panel discussion followed, focusing on HR best practices and featuring insights from key government leaders: Amna Al Suwaidi of DGHR, Dr. Yousif El-Ghalayini of the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, and Col. Dr. Ahmad Alshehhi of Dubai Police General Headquarters.
The forum also addressed challenges facing government entities amid evolving work models and presented strategies for developing agile, digitally driven HR frameworks. These strategies aim to improve employee engagement, accelerate digital transformation, and build long-term institutional resilience.
In addition, the event emphasized the Dubai government’s commitment to fostering flexible workplaces that promote employee well-being, enhance institutional performance and support societal stability. These goals align with the “Year of Community” values of participation, humanity and social cohesion.
The forum is part of DGHR’s Dubai Government Flexibility Initiative, a knowledge-sharing platform supporting the creation of HR policies that strengthen institutional performance and develop a skilled, adaptable workforce capable of meeting future challenges.