On 5 November 2026 in Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presided over the 2026 Mohammed bin Rashid Government Excellence Award ceremony, honouring federal entities, leaders, and professionals for outstanding performance and contributions to national priorities.
Attended by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Lt. General H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the event was organised by the UAE Government and celebrated national achievements including the awarding of the Mohammed bin Rashid Sash to Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan.
The ceremony recognised federal entities that achieved remarkable impact in government performance and national leaders and professionals who set outstanding examples of dedication and service, as well as exceptional projects that advanced national priorities and strengthened the UAE’s leadership and global competitiveness.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said:
Today, we attended the ceremony honouring the winners of the Government Excellence Award 2026. We honoured the leading federal entities and the government’s finest directors and specialists. The highlight of the ceremony was honouring my brother, His Highness Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, with the Mohammed bin Rashid Sash, in recognition of his distinguished record of national service and his contributions to the country over many decades.
He added: We congratulate all the winners of the excellence awards, which we introduced more than 30 years ago. We will continue them, because excellence is not a destination. It is a mindset and a culture. A mindset that strives for a perfection it never reaches. A mindset that constantly redefines success and has the courage to keep changing and experimenting. Excellence is one of the virtues of good governance.
