Abu Dhabi Accelerates Its “Healthy Living” Strategy: A Roadmap Turning Longevity into Urban Culture

The capital of the UAE has taken a decisive step toward a new urban model in which prevention and wellbeing are embedded in everyday life. The Government of Abu Dhabi has launched an ambitious Healthy Living Strategy that integrates public policy, private-sector partnerships, and a year-round calendar of initiatives designed to make health a visible, shared, and measurable dimension of daily living—across homes, schools, public spaces, hospitality, and tourism.

The strategy is coordinated by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, among other entities. Together, they are driving 25 structured initiatives ranging from physical activity promotion and nutrition education to urban design improvements and the integration of health metrics into tourism experiences.

One of the most visible pillars is the Festival of Health, an open platform combining preventive screenings, educational talks, fitness sessions, and community engagement activities for all age groups. Complementing this is Degayeg, a dynamic format that transforms public spaces into immersive wellness hubs with intergenerational programming. Both initiatives have already mobilized thousands of residents and visitors, reinforcing the idea that longevity is not merely a clinical objective, but a collective cultural ambition.

At the retail level, the introduction of Nutri-Mark, a front-of-pack nutritional labeling system, provides consumers with a clear and accessible tool to guide purchasing decisions. Supported by mobile scanning applications, it enables real-time product comparison and encourages healthier choices, aligning commercial environments with broader public health goals.

Beyond campaigns and events, the strategy reflects a structural evolution: moving from a reactive healthcare model focused on chronic disease management toward a preventive ecosystem where urban planning, gastronomy, hospitality, and technology actively support healthier lifestyles. This approach positions Abu Dhabi at the forefront of a global shift in destination branding, where wellbeing and longevity are becoming core pillars of competitiveness.

For the senior demographic—central to the FIFTIERS movement—such policies open a forward-looking opportunity landscape. Abu Dhabi is not only investing in infrastructure and programming, but in a citywide narrative where active ageing, cultural vitality, and premium living converge. In a rapidly ageing world, destinations capable of transforming prevention into aspiration are shaping the next chapter of the longevity economy.

The Healthy Living Strategy is therefore more than a health agenda; it is an urban identity statement. And it anticipates a broader global pattern: cities competing not only for capital and tourism flows, but to become ecosystems where living longer—and living better—is woven into the fabric of everyday life.