Dubai: The Ministry of Family has introduced the ‘Family First’ programme, a strategic initiative aimed at fostering family cohesion across the nation. This launch took place during the World Governments Summit 2026, held in Dubai from February 3 to 5, under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments’.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme is a part of the National Family Growth Agenda 2031 and underscores the Ministry’s dedication to fortifying the family as a cornerstone of the community and sustainable development. It aims to implement subtle yet significant changes to public spaces, making them more accommodating to families and fostering a community mindset geared towards ‘growing the family’, in alignment with the National Growth Agenda 2031.
The ‘Family First’ initiative employs a cohesive national design language featuring clear icons and signage, facilitating intuitive and easily recognizable family-priority services in public spaces. These enhancements include standardized priority parking for expectant mothers, distinctly marked family seating on public transport, and the establishment of ‘Family and Child Oasis Rooms’ in public venues, providing serene areas for infant care or relaxation.
The Ministry of Family’s commitment to alleviating daily stresses for families, improving the public parenthood experience, and enhancing families’ quality of life is evident through these initiatives, emphasizing the family as a national priority.
Her Excellency Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family, remarked on the collaboration, stating that the ‘Family First’ programme is a strategic move towards ‘Promoting Thought and Behaviour’, a crucial pillar of the National Family Growth Agenda 2031. The initiative seeks to instill stability and security values, creating a lasting positive impact.
By launching this initiative, the Ministry aims to apply community-based behavioural science and utilize directional signs and visual symbols to make public spaces more family-friendly. The initiative involves simple, easy-to-implement design interventions that significantly support families’ quality of life, highlighting their importance as a national priority.
Her Excellency further explained that the programme focuses on redesigning urban environments and social spaces to bring families closer, encourage community interactions, and reimagine everyday activities. The initiative offers a practical model for integrating social policies with urban planning, enhancing family stability and quality of life in the long term.
Initially launched in Dubai, the programme plans to expand its reach nationwide in stages, strengthening partnerships along the way.
As part of its implementation efforts, the Ministry of Family signed cooperation agreements with key national entities, including Dubai Municipality, to execute the initiative in public spaces and transport services in Dubai. Agreements were also signed with Majid Al Futtaim Group and Union Coop to engage the private sector in providing urban environments that support family cohesion, considering the needs of mothers, children, the elderly, and large families.
Sana Suhail, Minister of Family, attended the agreement signings, alongside Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality; Hessa Abdulrahman Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary for the Social Development Sector at the Ministry of Family; Mohamed Al Hashemi, CEO of Union Coop; and Khalifa bin Braik, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim – Asset Management.
Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita stated that Dubai Municipality’s involvement in the ‘Family First’ programme reflects a strategic approach that integrates the family dimension within urban planning, aligning with the Municipality’s strategic directions to develop human-centric cities.
Mohamed Al Hashemi, CEO of Union Coop, emphasized the programme’s role in promoting authentic Emirati values in daily life, creating inclusive and safe environments for families across Dubai branches.
Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding, noted that the initiative aligns with the UAE’s vision to embed the family at the core of social policies and urban planning. The programme coincides with the UAE’s designation of 2026 as the ‘Year of the Family’, reinforcing the family’s role in national development.
The ‘Family First’ programme presents an opportunity to offer comprehensive experiences for families, using visual symbols to ensure facilities are welcoming and enhance family well-being. This initiative underscores the family’s role as a fundamental unit in nation-building, promoting positive values and sustainable development.